Rheumatoid arthritis, which harasses 1% of the entire human population, will have a new treatment method without the usual side effects that have haunted the medication associated with the condition.

CNU’s research team of nano-biomedical research team within the CNU Joint Program for Bio-medical Engineering was selected for the National R&D Real Challenge Program, governed by the Korea Institute of Human Resources Development in Science and Technology. The research team consists of Kim Min-ah, the senior researcher and a doctoral student, Kim Yae-seul (MS-Ph.D joint program), Lee Ho-jun (master’s course) and Professor Lee Chang-moon (clockwise from the left side of the picture).

In order to treat rheumatoid arthritis, the research team proposed a bio-derived photo thermal drug and concurrent treatment strategy that allows for topical drug injections into the lesion.

The existing treatment method for rheumatoid arthritis, which has gastrointestinal side effects caused by long-term use, has become a problem. However, if this technology is developed, it is possible to directly treat the lesions and minimize side effects.