Fetal bone tissue stem cell therapy enters 1st Korean trial for osteogenesis imperfecta

Professor Lee Soon-chul of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at CHA Bundang Medical Center and Professor Rim Jong-seop of the CHA Medical Research Institute have received approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare to conduct research on an “ectopic embryonic calvaria-derived mesenchymal stem cell (EE-cMSC) therapy” for osteogenesis imperfecta.

This marks Korea’s first clinical investigation of mesenchymal stem cells in patients with the rare brittle-bone disorder.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a congenital genetic disease characterized by weak bone formation. An estimated 500 to 1,000 people in Korea are affected. Patients often experience fractures from minor impacts, bone deformities, growth delays, and dental fragility, yet no curative treatment exists.

Research in the United States and Europe using adult bone marrow-derived or fetal liver-derived mesenchymal stem cells has shown promising safety and efficacy, including a reported 75 percent reduction in fracture rates and improved bone growth.

Building on this progress, Lee and Rim have differentiated and isolated mesenchymal stem cells from donated early-stage fetal bone tissue. These cells support bone regeneration, suppress bone resorption, and show favorable cellular properties. Their scalability also makes them a promising candidate for future commercialization in bone-disease therapies.

Based on these characteristics, the team has begun a clinical study in Korean patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and plans to expand development toward global trials and potential technology transfer.

“We aim to provide a new treatment option for osteogenesis imperfecta,” Professor Lee said. “We hope fetal bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells will improve patients’ quality of life through proven safety and bone regeneration.”