Oxford BioMedica Announces Research and Development Collaboration for Glaucoma
Research and development agreement signed with Mayo Clinic
The collaboration builds on earlier pre-clinical research, conducted by Eric Poeschla M.D., Mayo Clinic and his research team, which has established initial proof-of-concept for this approach to treating chronic glaucoma. This work will be extended using the LentiVector® technology and may support the rapid transition of another novel ocular gene therapy into clinical development.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterised by vision loss due to damage of the optic nerve affecting over 60 million people worldwide (source: Mayo Clinic). Over 90% of glaucoma is classed as primary open-angle glaucoma (also known as chronic glaucoma or chronic open-angle glaucoma) which results from a partial blockage within the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the tissue mainly responsible for draining the internal fluid of the eye (aqueous humour). As the aqueous humour builds up, it causes increased intraocular pressure which can damage the optic nerve. Damaged parts of the nerve and retina lead to permanent patches of vision loss and, in some cases, can lead to blindness.
Current treatment options for glaucoma aim to reduce intraocular pressure either through topical methods (e.g. eye drops) or eye surgery, however these approaches are not effective in all cases. Patient compliance with topical treatments can be very poor, especially those requiring daily application, and many therapies have side effects which can restrict chronic use. Consequently, there remains a large unmet medical need in a significant proportion of the patient population. Oxford BioMedica has conducted pre-clinical and clinical studies that suggest a single application of its LentiVector® platform products can provide sustained or permanent therapeutic activity. By using a novel gene therapy to provide long-term control of intraocular pressure, this approach could minimise the risk of disease progression.
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Topic world Gene therapy
Genetic diseases once considered untreatable are now at the center of innovative therapeutic approaches. Research and development of gene therapies in biotech and pharma aim to directly correct or replace defective or missing genes to combat disease at the molecular level. This revolutionary approach promises not only to treat symptoms, but to eliminate the cause of the disease itself.
Topic world Gene therapy
Genetic diseases once considered untreatable are now at the center of innovative therapeutic approaches. Research and development of gene therapies in biotech and pharma aim to directly correct or replace defective or missing genes to combat disease at the molecular level. This revolutionary approach promises not only to treat symptoms, but to eliminate the cause of the disease itself.