Osteoarthritis is an incurable and chronic form of arthritis that is characterized by a breakdown of cartilage and synovial fluid in the joints. This painful disease currently affects over 200 million people around the world, including 1.5 million people in the Australia, 30 million in Europe, and over 30 million people in the United States. In early stage OA, patients are typically treated with over-the-counter or prescription non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs). End stage OA is treated via joint replacement, either total or partial.
Mid-stage OA lacks effective treatments.