Register to attend the first NIH technology webinar of the year on January 31, featuring a potential novel treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Attendees will learn about a potential, novel treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Over 100,000 people in the U.S. and 1.5 million people worldwide suffer from RP, which leads to progressive photoreceptor cell degeneration and ultimately vision loss. This new therapeutic PEDF peptide has the potential to be a treatment option for the worldwide RP patient population and may also protect retinal cells from damage associated with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The NEI is looking for a commercialization partner for this technology.
Presenter:
Patricia Becerra, Ph.D.
Senior Investigator
Section on Protein Structure and Function
National Eye Institute (NEI)
About the Featured Technology:
Dr. Becerra and her team at the NEI developed a novel therapeutic pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) peptide that exhibits a highly potent effect on photoreceptor protection in in vivo mouse models. This novel therapeutic PEDF peptide contains a 17 amino acid residue section of the human PEDF protein that incorporates an amino acid substitution at position 105, changing the original histidine to an alanine (PEDF 17-mer[H105A]). This amino acid substitution exhibits a highly potent effect on photoreceptor protection in in vivo mouse models of RP. The treatment method contemplates an eyedrop formulation to deliver the novel PEDF peptide to a patient’s eye, in addition to an AAV2-based delivery system, to deliver a nucleic acid encoding the novel PEDF peptide or the PEDF 17-mer[H105A] peptide.
Technology Competitive Advantages
- Eye drops are less intrusive and less expensive alternative to current FDA approved retinal implant being used to treat late-stage RP.
- Eye drop PEDF peptide formulation accessible to more patients than a retinal implant.
- Eye drop PEDF peptide formulation provides an easy administration route.
- PEDF peptide formulation mimics the natural protective process lost in patients with inherited eye diseases contributing to RP.
Why Attend?
- Assess co-developing the technology.
- Interact with the inventor, ask questions and provide feedback.
- Learn how to partner with the NEI and NIH.
Who Should Attend?
- Business development professionals
- Investors and entrepreneurs
- Scientific and drug development professionals
- Biotech/pharma/academia researchers
