CrannMed is dedicated to addressing the enduring challenge posed by Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), a prevalent and debilitating condition affecting a substantial portion of the EU and US population aged 55+. Currently, a staggering 30 million people, comprising approximately 14% of the population in the EU and US, are undergoing treatment for KOA.
Existing therapeutic approaches for KOA have proven inadequate in providing long-term relief. Alarmingly, the overwhelming majority of patients will inevitably experience treatment failure, necessitating invasive surgical interventions such as knee replacement for approximately two-thirds of individuals. Given the chronic nature of the disease, the absence of efficacious treatments, and the consequent impact on patient mobility and well-being, the economic burden of KOA is staggering, accounting for a substantial 1.5% of the global GDP.
Through research and engineering, CrannMed has developed SakuraBead resorbable microspheres that are precisely delivered using a specialised microcatheter directly to the inflamed region within the knee. SakuraBead's effectiveness initiates targeted short-term embolisation, reducing pain levels and restoring optimal well-being. It uniquely addresses the growing patient preference for no residual foreign objects within their bodies. SakuraBead also ensures that future medical treatments of the knee are not compromised due to permanent foreign objects remaining in situ.
CrannMed has demonstrated efficacy through rigorous pre-clinical testing. This notable achievement has been made possible through the establishment and validation of a state-of-the-art class 8 cleanroom within the CrannMed facility. With the critical infrastructure in place, the team is now poised to embark on the crucial phases of clinical evaluation and commercialisation. The vision is to establish SakuraBead as the gold standard for KOA treatment, surpassing traditional pharmaceutical-based therapies. Through comprehensive evaluation, CrannMed aims to demonstrate SakuraBead's effectiveness, secure regulatory approvals, and make it widely accessible to patients, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes.
