A small-molecule eye drop in development at Industrial Technology Research Institute for diabetic macular edema (DME) is designed to address several disease mechanisms while offering a non-invasive alternative to treatments administered by intravitreal injection. The investigational therapy simultaneously targets Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways through a novel mechanism of action.
The dual-target approach is intended to inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth, reduce inflammation and help preserve retinal integrity. The candidate incorporates proprietary drug delivery technology designed to transport therapeutics to the posterior segment of the eye. Formulated as eye drops, the treatment could offer patients a less burdensome option than injections, which are commonly used to manage DME.
The approach may be particularly relevant for patients who do not respond adequately to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies. By avoiding repeated injections, the developers believe the treatment could improve adherence, reduce the burden on patients and healthcare systems, and limit risks associated with injection-based procedures.
The candidate remains in development, and further clinical evidence will be needed to establish its safety and efficacy, including whether topical administration can deliver meaningful therapeutic concentrations to the retina.
Source: drug-dev.com · Image: Instilling eye medication by British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Download this book for free at , CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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