Drug Discovery and Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Women in Pharma and Biotech
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • Resources
    • Video features
    • Podcast
    • Voices
    • Views
    • Webinars
  • Pharma 50
    • 2025 Pharma 50
    • 2024 Pharma 50
    • 2023 Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Novartis wins FDA fast track designation for investigational osteoarthritis drug

By Brian Buntz | September 3, 2021

NovartisNovartis (NYSE:NVS) has received FDA fast track designation for LNA043, a potential treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.

LNA043 is a modified version of the human angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3). The drug would be a potential first-in-class disease-modifying osteoarthritis therapy.

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder. In 2017, more than 300 million people internationally had either hip or knee osteoarthritis, according to an article in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.  

At present, drugs play a supporting role in treating osteoarthritis. Patients primarily use them to reduce pain and swelling.

Several organizations, including Merck (NYSE:MRK), Novartis and a number of smaller companies, have launched clinical trials to test various investigational disease-modifying therapies for the condition.

LNA043 is an angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) agonist targeting damaged cartilage. In a proof-of-concept study, the drug regenerated damaged cartilage when injected into the knee joint.

The Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research discovered the drug LNA043.

The company has also completed a Phase 1 trial for M6495, an investigational osteoarthritis treatment. M6495 is an ADAMTS-5 (ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 5) inhibitor.


Filed Under: clinical trials, Drug Discovery
Tagged With: fast track designation, FDA, LNA043, Novartis
 

About The Author

Brian Buntz

As the pharma and biotech editor at WTWH Media, Brian has almost two decades of experience in B2B media, with a focus on healthcare and technology. While he has long maintained a keen interest in AI, more recently Brian has made making data analysis a central focus, and is exploring tools ranging from NLP and clustering to predictive analytics.

Throughout his 18-year tenure, Brian has covered an array of life science topics, including clinical trials, medical devices, and drug discovery and development. Prior to WTWH, he held the title of content director at Informa, where he focused on topics such as connected devices, cybersecurity, AI and Industry 4.0. A dedicated decade at UBM saw Brian providing in-depth coverage of the medical device sector. Engage with Brian on LinkedIn or drop him an email at bbuntz@wtwhmedia.com.

Related Articles Read More >

Sai Life Sciences exec: GLP-1 boom has ‘exploded the peptide field’ as firm opens new center
Novartis in the Pharma 50
Swissmedic approves first malaria treatment for infants
Nektar’s Phase 2b atopic dermatitis win triggers 1,746% analyst target surge, but legal tussle with ex-partner Lilly could complicate path forward
Dupixent approved to treat bullous pemphigoid
“ddd
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest news and trends happening now in the drug discovery and development industry.

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.
Drug Discovery and Development
  • MassDevice
  • DeviceTalks
  • Medtech100 Index
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Medical Design & Outsourcing
  • Medical Tubing + Extrusion
  • Subscribe to our E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • R&D World
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Drug Discovery & Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Women in Pharma and Biotech
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • Resources
    • Video features
    • Podcast
    • Voices
    • Views
    • Webinars
  • Pharma 50
    • 2025 Pharma 50
    • 2024 Pharma 50
    • 2023 Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE