๐ MAY NEWS POST ๐ There have been some exciting recent developments in the ophthalmology and...
๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐
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-๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) have developed PEDF-based eye drops that show promise in slowing retinal degeneration in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The drops contain peptide fragments of PEDF, which help preserve retinal structure and function. In animal trials, these peptides maintained photoreceptor cells and improved vision when combined with gene therapy. These findings suggest that PEDF-based drops could offer a non-invasive treatment for retinal diseases, pending further research and clinical trials.
๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ, ๐
๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ
Kalaris Therapeutics and AlloVir Inc. have completed their merger, now operating under the Kalaris Therapeutics name. The new company, led by Andrew Oxtoby, will focus on developing treatments for retinal diseases, including its lead therapy, TH103, aimed at neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). With approximately $100 million in cash reserves, Kalaris plans to advance TH103 through a Phase 1 trial, with initial data expected in 2025. The merger strengthens Kalaris' position in the retinal disease treatment space.
๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ณ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ $175 ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐
โSurrozen, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRZN), a company specializing in Wnt pathway therapeutics for tissue repair and regeneration, has secured a $175 million private placement, overshooting initial funding targets. The financing comprises $17.5 million upfront, with an additional $175 million available through warrant exercises. These funds are allocated to advance multiple ophthalmology programs, including Phase 1 studies for retinopathies such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Consequently, Surrozen will discontinue its SZN-043 program for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis.
