Kaohsiung Medical University / Prof. Mei-Ling Ho

 Pain Points Solved 

1. Current treatment options for growth retardation or insufficient height development in children and adolescents are limited and mainly rely on growth hormone therapy, which is costly and not effective for all patients. This invention activates GPER-1 to stimulate growth plate chondrocyte proliferation, offering a novel therapeutic strategy distinct from conventional growth hormone treatment and potentially enhancing longitudinal bone growth.

2. Puberty is a critical period for skeletal growth, yet growth plate activity gradually declines with age. This technology effectively increases the thickness of the proliferative zone and the overall growth plate, enhancing chondrocyte proliferation and supporting greater skeletal growth potential.

 Technology Introduction 

This invention relates to the application of molecular biology and pharmacology, specifically the use of activating GPER-1 to promote growth plate cartilage proliferation in children during puberty. Animal experiments have confirmed that a GPER-1 agonist significantly increases tibial growth rate in mice aged 4–8 weeks and effectively promotes the thickening of the growth plate proliferative zone and overall growth plate thickness, thereby enhancing chondrocyte proliferation.

Figure. Tibia length of mice at 6 weeks old

 Application Examples 

1. The technology can be applied to the development of therapeutics for children and adolescents with growth retardation, idiopathic short stature (ISS), or insufficient growth plate activity, serving as a novel treatment approach to promote height development.

2. It may be used in combination with existing growth hormone therapies as an adjunct treatment to improve skeletal growth efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. The technology also has potential for development into products related to skeletal growth and regenerative medicine, expanding opportunities in pediatric bone health and growth-related healthcare markets.

 Related Links 

None

 Patent Name and Number 

TW 113110723

US 18/613,108

 Industry-Academia / Tech Transfer Partner 

None

 Honors and Awards  

None

 Technical Contact  

Mr. Hung, Assistant Manager

Kaohsiung Medical University 
Tel: +886 7-3121101 ext. 2360
Email: R121084@kmu.edu.tw