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Breakthrough Discovery: Dr. Denis Evseenko’s laboratory at USC, recognized for its pioneering work in regenerative medicine and therapeutic discovery, is the co-inventor of CX-011—a first-in-class small molecule designed to fundamentally change the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). This achievement reflects our team’s unique ability to translate cutting-edge biology into practical, disease-modifying therapeutics.

About CX-011: CX-011 (also referred to as R805/CX-011) is an investigational drug that modulates degenerative and inflammatory signaling. Unlike existing OA treatments that focus solely on pain relief, CX-011 directly targets the underlying biological drivers of joint degeneration—chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and cartilage breakdown. This represents a true step toward a disease-modifying therapy, not just symptom management.

These findings validated CX-011 as a therapy capable of both structural protection and functional improvement, a rare and highly sought-after outcome in OA research.

Clinical Translation: Building on this foundation, CX-011 has advanced into a Phase 1/2a clinical trial, supported by FDA clearance granted in March 2025. The trial, enrolling up to 70 patients with knee OA, will evaluate CX-011’s safety, efficacy, and ability to improve pain and function through minimally invasive intra-articular delivery.

Impact and Vision: This trial positions CX-011 as a potential first-in-class therapy that could spare patients from years of pain, reduce reliance on opioids, and even delay or eliminate the need for joint replacement. Beyond OA, the mechanism of CX-011 has implications for a broad spectrum of inflammatory and degenerative diseases, underscoring the transformative potential of this discovery.

By co-inventing CX-011 and driving it into clinical development, our team has set a new standard for translational science in age-related disease—demonstrating how bold ideas can rapidly evolve into real treatments that change patients’ lives.