This technology is a modified big potassium (BK+) channel agonist that selectively activates lysosome channels to reduce extracellular deposit formation as a treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), exfoliation glaucoma, and Danon disease.
Current FDA-approved therapies for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) provide limited efficacy and do not address the underlying cellular dysfunction driving retinal degeneration. As AMD progresses, it can lead to irreversible retinal damage and decreased quality of life in patients. Consequently, there is a critical need to identify disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of AMD and related eye disease.
This technology is a metabolically stable, modified BK+ agonist that selectively activates lysosomal big potassium (BK+) channels. Increasing channel activity promotes the degradation of misfolded protein aggregates and extracellular deposits, which are major contributors to acute macular degeneration (AMD). It is both metabolically and kinetically stable, with no apparent toxicity in vivo. As such, this technology can be an effective treatment for AMD and other diseases with impaired cellular autophagy.
This technology has been validated in mouse models.
Patent Pending
IR CU25219
Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman
