M1673

M1673 is an engineered recombinant human Growth and Differentiation Factor 5 (GDF-5) mutant being developed by Merck KGaA as a potential disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD). The protein features a single point mutation in the type I receptor binding site, which is designed to modify its receptor binding affinities compared to wild-type GDF-5. This modification allows M1673 to retain the anabolic and anti-catabolic effects on chondrocytes—stimulating the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components like type II collagen and aggrecan while down-regulating degradative enzymes such as MMP13 and ADAMTS5—while significantly reducing the hypertrophic and osteogenic properties that can lead to osteophyte formation. Administered via intra-articular injection, M1673 is intended to promote cartilage repair and activate mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into chondrocytes, potentially slowing or reversing the progression of osteoarthritis.

Other names

GDF-5 mutantGDF5 mutantGDF 5 mutantrhGDF-5 variantrhGDF5 variantrhGDF 5 variantrecombinant human Growth and Differentiation Factor 5 mutantGDF5-M1673GDF-5-M1673GDF 5-M1673