Inflammatory eye diseases including dry eye disease, uveitis, allergic conjunctivitis, scleritis, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are diseases that are painful at best and destructive and vision-threatening at worst. Current topical therapeutics target specific pathogenic cells without addressing the underlying etiology of the disease, and current ophthalmic drug delivery systems do not provide for long-term release of immunomodulatory agents. Other treatments can include tear substitutes, which include preservatives that can cause eye irritation, or anti-inflammatory agents whose long-term use has been implicated in conditions such as glaucoma and retinopathy. There is a significant unmet need for a treatment targeting inflammatory eye disease that treats the underlying cause of the disease and is both safe and easy to use.
Description
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a controlled-release drug delivery system comprised of chemokines, growth factors, retinoic acid, intestinal peptides, and safe, degradable, PLGA polymer particles. This biomimetic formulation is highly effective at recruiting a regular T-cells (Tregs), which are essential to the maintenance of immunological homeostasis and preventing chronic inflammation and autoimmune reactions. The dissolvable microspheres attract Treg cells to a local site, naturally resolving inflammatory symptoms and resolving underlying disease etiology. Controlled-release technology takes the burden of repeat application off of the patient, dramatically increasing patient compliance and reducing drug morbidity. By addressing disease causes and eliminating irritating or dangerous side effects, this biomimetic and immunomodulatory agent becomes an attractive choice for treating inflammatory eye diseases.
Applications
· Treating inflammatory eye diseases like dry eye disease, uveitis, allergic conjunctivitis, scleritis, and AMD
· Treating periodontal disease
Advantages
· Controlled-release formulation allows for fewer applications, increasing patient compliance and treatment efficacy
· Treats underlying cause of disease, rather than pacifying symptoms
· No irritating or dangerous side effects
Invention Readiness
In vivo data
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220296716A1
