New Drug Delivery Approach to Transform Macular Degeneration Treatment

This project aims to develop a long-acting eye injection that prevents abnormal blood vessel growth and scarring in the retina to preserve vision in people with macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness, affecting millions worldwide. Current treatments for wet AMD help some but leave many without effective options. This project explores two innovative approaches: repurposing fumaric acid esters (FAEs), including dimethyl fumarate, an FDA-approved drug, and testing microtubule inhibitors to target abnormal blood vessel growth and scarring. By developing nanoparticle-based injectable therapies, this research aims to enhance drug delivery, reduce treatment burden, and improve outcomes for patients with AMD.

This project pioneers a therapeutic approach for macular degeneration by targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, an established but untapped mechanism not yet addressed by any approved treatments. It uniquely combines this strategy with a biodegradable, sustained-release nanoparticle to deliver drugs directly to the retina, aiming to reduce injection burden and better preserve vision.

This project aims to deliver a new treatment option that reduces eye injection frequency and prevents vision loss in patients with advanced macular degeneration. By targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, it could transform how retinal diseases are treated. The findings may also drive broader innovation in sustained drug delivery and therapies for other age-related eye conditions.