Cocoon Biotech

Cocoon Biotech is developing smooth, durable microscopic ball-bearings made from natural silk — which can be administered directly into the knee joint. Silk can provide lubrication in the joint space comparable to that of the body’s own synovial fluid. Silk microspheres enable a rolling effect which provides cushioning between joint surfaces. This in turn reduces surface wear and degradation characteristic of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) currently affects 27 million adults in the United States, and that number is estimated to reach 65 million by 2030. The disease occurs when cartilage breaks down in the joint space, leading to inflammation and pain, and results in more than $128 billion in management and treatment costs. Current therapies, including intra-articular injections (hyaluronic acid and steroids) aimed to relieve joint pain can be either ineffective, require multiple injections, have significant side effects, or end up in total knee replacement.