Ethyl pyruvate for the treatment of glaucoma and intraocular disease

This technology is a pyruvate analog, ethyl pyruvate, that can be used to treat glaucoma and other intraocular pressure (IOP)-related retinal diseases.

Unmet Need: Targeting metabolic imbalances in glaucoma and IOP-related diseases

Glaucoma and intraocular pressure-related diseases are characterized by metabolic reprogramming that drives disease progression. However, there are still no FDA-approved metabolic therapies to treat glaucoma and other IOP-related diseases. Ethyl pyruvate directly addresses this dysregulation by improving cellular energy homeostasis, antioxidant defenses, and inflammatory control. Despite progress, there are still no FDA-approved metabolic therapies for glaucoma, IOP-related conditions, or many neurodegenerative disorders.

The Technology: Pyruvate analog for metabolic neuroprotection

This technology uses ethyl pyruvate, a pyruvate analog, to treat glaucoma and other intraocular pressure (IOP)-related diseases. Compared to sodium and calcium pyruvate, ethyl pyruvate offers greater stability, improved cellular penetration, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Beyond ophthalmology, ethyl pyruvate’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic effects enable applications in neurodegenerative disease treatment, anti-aging, and longevity formulations. Preclinical studies in rat and mouse models of glaucoma demonstrated robust neuroprotection with pyruvate supplementation, and cultured human trabecular meshwork cells treated with ethyl pyruvate showed increased survival under oxidative stress.

This technology has been validated in vivo.

Applications:

• Glaucoma treatment
• Intraocular pressure treatment
• Treatment for patients at risk of ocular development
• Neurodegenerative disease treatment (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS)
• Veterinary treatment
• Anti-aging and longevity applications
• Metabolic reprogramming for non-metabolic disorders
• Adjunctive therapy for oxidative stress–related conditions

Advantages:

• Improved stability
• Better cell permeability
• Demonstrated neuroprotection in multiple in vivo models of glaucoma and IOP-related disease
• Applicable across ophthalmology, neurology, and systemic metabolic disorders

Lead Inventor:

Simon John, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (WO/2025/058667)

Related Publications:

• De Moraes CG, John SWM, Williams PA, Blumberg DM, Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. “Nicotinamide and Pyruvate for Neuroenhancement in Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022 Jan 1; 140(1): 11-18.

• Shukla AG, Cioffi GA, John SWM, Wang Q, Liebmann JM American Glaucoma Society and American Academy of Ophthalmology. “American Glaucoma Society-American Academy of Ophthalmology Position Statement on Nicotinamide Use for Glaucoma Neuroprotection.” Ophthalmol Glaucoma. 2025 Jan 10: S2589-4196(25)00007-9.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU22343

• Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman