The Rheumatologist

SM04690 is a small-molecule inhibitor of the Wnt pathway currently in clinical trials to evaluate its use managing knee osteoarthritis (OA). The treatment is an intra-articular injection being developed as a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD). Preclinical data suggest this agent has a dual action mechanism, with three joint health effects: cartilage generation, slowing of cartilage breakdown and inflammation reduction. Presently, no DMOADs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.