Therapeutic target for blood-retinal barrier defect in glaucoma
This technology is a set of clinical tests and treatments to predict and prevent the development of glaucoma in patients with a disrupted blood-retina barrier due to high intraocular pressure.
Unmet Need: Preventive therapeutics for glaucoma disease progression
One hallmark of glaucoma is high intraocular pressure (IOP), which disrupts the blood-retina barrier (BRB), causing it to leak inflammatory cells into the retinal vasculature. Many current treatment options exist to stabilize IOP, such as prescription eye drops, laser surgery, and oral medications. However, no existing therapy fully stops or targets the onset of the disease.
The Technology: Treatments that target blood-retina barrier leakage to prevent glaucoma onset
This technology identifies a specific component of the blood-retina barrier (BRB), Mfsd2a, as a primary therapeutic target for the disease onset of glaucoma. Mfsd2a, a cell membrane transporter, is disrupted with high intraocular pressure (IOP), causing leakage. This leakage allows toxic immune cells to infiltrate the retina over time, causing damage to the optic nerve. This process occurs well before the onset of glaucoma symptoms and can be indicated with special tracers, thus enabling the development of clinical tests that predict disease progression for patients with high IOP who do not yet show symptoms of glaucoma. This technology may also be used to develop treatments for targeting the leakage of the BRB to protect against glaucoma and other diseases linked to the BRB.
Applications:
- Treatment or prevention of glaucoma
- Development of Mfsd2a agonist or modulator
- Target of pathways associated with Mfsd2a or Wnt signaling pathway activators
- Development of predictive tests for glaucoma
Advantages:
- Can predict glaucoma progression before symptoms appear
- Enables prevention of glaucoma onset
- Encompasses a wide variety of treatments specific to the blood-retina barrier (BRB)
- Modulates intraocular pressure
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Patent Pending (WO/2025/019458)
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU23351
Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman