Reducing Risk of PVR
A novel therapeutic modality to reduce the risk of Proliferative Retinopathy (PVR) utilizing a new small molecule as TAK1 inhibitor.
Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR), a scarring process that occurs as a complication of retinal detachments (RDs) which, in turn, happen for many reasons, is often the leading cause of surgical failure in RD treatments. Ultimately, it can even lead to blindness. PVR is characterized by the formation of a fibrotic tissue on the detached retina that hinders proper reattachment. A key factor driving the development of this fibrotic tissue are the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which tend to aggregate and form the scars.
Inventors
Prof. Ayala Pollack, Kaplan Medical Center
Contact info
Sari Prutchi Sagiv PhD. Director of Pharma and Diagnostics
For further information please contact:
sari@mor-research.comWe studied the crucial role of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK-1) in regulating RPE cells that form fibrotic tissue, and how modulating this process could help prevent fibrosis. We aim to target RPE cell differentiation using the TAK1 inhibitor OM-101, a novel small molecule that interferes with the pathological mechanism involved, thus halting this process and subsequently decreasing the chances of PVR. OM-101 has already demonstrated significant safety and efficacy in in vitro and in vivo studies. We demonstrated that two intravitreal injections of OM-101 significantly reduced the fibrotic response underlying PVR pathophysiology. Safety experiments demonstrated that OM-101 is safe for ocular administration with no systemic side effect. OM-101 was also proven to decrease fibrotic response in other conditions such as inflammation of hepatocyte cells and intestinal fibrosis.
The potential size of the US PVR market is estimated at $343 million per year. Total indirect related costs are estimated at over $1 Billion per year, in the US only. PVR is a rare condition eligible for orphan drug designation (ODD).
In vitro and in vivo studies performed to evaluate safety and efficacy of the selected molecule showed promising results.