Case ID: 88-042

Web Published: Mar 01, 2011

Intellectual Property Status: Patented technology (patent pending).

Description:

Anti-Scarring Tablet for the Eye

Available for: Exclusive licensing

Summary

Glaucoma is a disease in the eye characterised by the progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells. Elevated intraocular pressure is considered to be the primary cause of optic nerve damage characteristic of the disease. Increased intraocular pressure may be caused by excessive production of aqueous humour and a lack of drainage through the trabecular meshwork. Surgical intervention is often required to reduce intraocular pressure through insertion of a tube implant. Scarring around the implant is a major cause of failure of glaucoma filtration surgery.

The Technology and its Advantages

Glaucoma filtration surgery can cause scarring, leading to changes in intraocular pressure and ultimately, surgical failure. The current gold standard treatment is to swab the bleb at the site of tube implantation with cytotoxins, reducing the build up of scar tissue. This method is not effective in all patients and can cause severe toxic side effects. The technology available for exclusive license here is a ‘slow-release’ micro-tablet which allows prolonged dosage of anti-scarring agent to the eye, thus preventing fibrosis and blindness post-surgery. This micro-tablet contains matrix metalloprotease inhibitors which inhibit scarring and increase the success of glaucoma filtration surgery. It is envisioned that this tablet may have further application in other forms of eye surgery.

Market Opportunity

Glaucoma is the second largest cause of blindness in the world. According to Business Insights, the forecast of prevalence of glaucoma across the 5 major European countries, the US and Japan is set to rise from $15m in 2010 to $15.7m by 2014. These figures do not include the high incidence of glaucoma in India and China. In 2008 the sales of anti-glaucoma preparations by the 10 leading companies in the market was $5.2m and showed a growth of 11% for the period 2007-08.

Further Information

Please contact Rachel Hemsley, UCL Business PLC, T: +44 (0)20 7679 9000 E: r.hemsley@uclb.com

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