Valitor Inc. has presented preclinical results on VLTR-559, its long-acting anti-VEGF biologic candidate for durable wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). VLTR-559, developed using Valitor’s proprietary Multivalent Polymer (MVP) technology, demonstrated prolonged ocular retention and maintained high potency even after months in ocular tissues.
Zenyaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. has identified myosin light chain kinase family member 4 (MYLK4; SGK085) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, osteosarcoma, glaucoma, ocular hypertension, dry eye, uveitis and age-related macular degeneration, among others.
Ischemic retinopathy refers to a group of ocular disorders characterized by insufficient retinal blood flow, leading to hypoxia and subsequent retinal tissue damage. In the hypoxic environment, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) activates the transcription of pro-angiogenic factors that promote pathological retinal neovascularization, which ultimately contributes to edema, retinal damage and vision loss.
Opus Genetics Inc. has entered a strategic partnership with the Global RDH12 Alliance to advance Opus’ gene therapy program for patients with vision loss due to retinol dehydrogenase 12 (RDH12) gene mutations.
Myopia, a leading cause of visual impairment globally, can progress to serious complications like retinal and choroidal degeneration. While atropine is commonly used to manage childhood myopia, its nonselective action on all five acetylcholine muscarinic receptor subtypes (M1-M5 receptors) can cause side effects such as pupil dilation and photophobia.
Graves disease (GD)-associated hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of autoantibodies that stimulate the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), leading to excessive production of thyroid hormones.
In a recent study published in Nature Genetics, a team of scientists used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to systematically analyze genetic weaknesses in uveal melanoma cells and comprehensively map monogenic and digenic dependencies.
The U.S. FDA has cleared Aavantgarde Bio Srl’s IND application for AAVB-039, the company’s gene therapy program for Stargardt disease, the most common inherited form of macular degeneration.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes, with limited therapeutic options. While current treatments focus on the proliferative stage, there is an urgent need to understand the underlying mechanisms of the early stages of DR to halt progression. Growing research suggests that activated microglia are key drivers of inflammation in DR.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Current treatments mainly address advanced AMD, while early or intermediate stages rely only on micronutrient supplements. This highlights a critical gap in understanding the molecular drivers of early dry AMD and the need for strategies to prevent progression to geographic atrophy or choroidal neovascularization and vision loss.
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