Scientists at the University of Birmingham are one step closer to developing an eye drop that could revolutionise treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Its prevalence is increasing dramatically as the population ages and it is estimated that, by 2020, there will be about 200 million people worldwide with the condition. In the UK alone, there are over 500,000 people with late stage AMD.
AMD is currently treated by injections of sight-saving drugs into the eye which must be administered by medical professionals. Scientists led by biochemist Dr Felicity de Cogan, from the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Microbiology and Infection, have invented a method of delivering these otherwise-injected drug as eye drops.
Laboratory research, published last year in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), showed that these eye drops have a similar therapeutic effect as the injected drug in rats. Now the Birmingham scientists have taken their research one step further by investigating the effect of the eye drops in the larger eyes of rabbits and pigs, which are more similar to human eyes.
This latest study, also published in IOVS, demonstrates that the eye drops can deliver a therapeutically effective amount of the drugs to the retina of the larger mammalian eye.
The technology behind the eye drops is a cell-penetrating peptide that can deliver the drug to the retina (the back of the eye). The scientists’ pending patents for the eye drops are now owned by US-based company, Macregen Inc, and a team of Birmingham researchers is working with the company to develop a novel range of therapies for AMD and other eye diseases.
The combined team is now expediting proof of concept studies to confirm the validity of the therapeutic approach. Clinical trials will be imminent once these studies are completed, and could start as early as spring 2019.
Dr de Cogan said: “For several years, our team has focused on the challenge of delivering drugs to the back of the eye.
“From the outset, we realised that delivering drugs through eye drops would mean that patients can administer their treatment themselves, and this would be less costly, save time for patients and healthcare providers, and reduce the potential complications that can arise from injections.
“Now we have shown that the eye drops work in the larger mammalian eye, and we welcome the commercial investment and expertise from Macregen so we can deliver a structured research and development programme that should bring concrete benefits to people with AMD and eye diseases.”
Professor Robert Scott, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Honorary Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Birmingham, commented: “Cell-penetrating peptides will drive the next generation of treatment for people with AMD.
“They will be transformative for patients who currently have to organise their lives around monthly clinic visits for uncomfortable intraocular injections, who will in the future have the convenience of self-administering their medical treatment.”
Keith Roizman, Founder, Executive Chairman, and Chief Technology Officer of Macregen, said: “Macregen and the company’s prospective strategic partners and licensees are expected to make significant investments in laboratory proof of concept studies, the subsequent research and development programmes and clinical trials.
“We will also pursue the necessary and required regulatory programmes to make these eye drops available to patients.”
Learn more: Researchers are one step closer to developing eye drops to treat common sight loss condition
The Latest on: Age-related macular degeneration
[google_news title=”” keyword=”age-related macular degeneration” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Age-related macular degeneration
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Putting a Hole in Our Worldon May 10, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Estimates show that by 2040, age-related macular degeneration may affect nearly 300 million people worldwide. And we are very limited in our ability to treat or prevent it. Here's what to know.
- Global $20B+ Macular Degeneration Treatment Market Outlook, 2024-2029: AI Integration Paves the Way for Personalized Careon May 10, 2024 at 2:15 am
Donald Trump told oil industry executives he would dismantle Joe Biden’s pro-electric vehicle agenda as he asked for $1bn (£800m) to help return him to the White House, it has been claimed. A ...
- With Age-Related Macular Degeneration Comes Higher Rates of Renal and Thyroid Canceron May 9, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Renal and thyroid cancer rates are 16% and 10% higher, respectively, in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
- Wet vs. Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)on May 9, 2024 at 9:37 am
In dry AMD, light-sensitive cells in the macula gradually break down, while in wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels start to grow beneath the retina.
- Macular Degeneration: 11 Ways to Protect Your Eyeson May 2, 2024 at 9:17 am
It is crucial to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms associated with AMD to detect and manage the condition early.
- What Is Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration?on May 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
To help detect or confirm a diagnosis of wet AMD, your doctor may perform other tests and procedures, including the following: Both dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) involve ...
- Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration Seven Major Market to Exhibit Growth at a CAGR of 19.8% by 2034 | DelveInsighton April 22, 2024 at 10:31 am
LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, dry ...
- Macular Degeneration vs. Glaucomaon April 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Both macular degeneration and glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness. But they have different causes and treatments. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma are two of the most ...
- Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degenerationon April 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Choroidal neovascularization is the primary cause of visual loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Current treatments, proven to offer a benefit for these patients through ...
via Bing News