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Current treatments involve injections which block a protein known as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). The protein has an important role because it stimulates the formation of new blood vessels needed for healthy circulation and for healing damaged tissue. But in disease, the new blood vessels that are formed are abnormal and, in the case of AMD, grow underneath the macula (the central part of the retina) and leak fluid. This leakage, together with bleeds and scar tissue, eventually leads to loss of central vision and distortions where, for example, straight lines appear wavy.
Preventing the abnormal growth arrests the course of the disease. Unfortunately, the existing treatment doesn鈥檛 work for between 10 and 15 per cent of patients and their eyesight becomes progressively worse, preventing them from being able to drive and hampering their ability to read, watch television or recognise faces easily.

A few years ago, a team led by Professors John Greenwood and Stephen Moss at 香港六合彩中特网 identified a different protein called LRG1 which also causes the abnormal vessel growth. They developed a monoclonal antibody 鈥� Magacizumab 鈥� which, in mice, specifically targets LRG1 and prevents the formation of abnormal blood vessels.听
The researchers have now been given over 拢5.5m to conduct Phase 1 and Phase 2a clinical trials to see whether the drug is safe for humans and whether it will halt the disease in patients who are no longer responsive to the standard treatment. If these trials are successful, the team will then assess whether the treatment works for newly diagnosed patients.

Professor Stephen Moss said: 鈥淎round 40,000 people a year develop wet AMD and it severely limits what they can do and their enjoyment of life.听 If the trial is successful, it will be followed by larger trials and, we hope, development by a pharmaceutical company.鈥� Professor John Greenwood added, 鈥淲e are particularly excited by this approach as it targets a novel pathway involved in abnormal vessel formation鈥�.听

The team will likely begin recruiting patients for the trial in 2018, once the safety of this new potential therapy has been assessed in animal studies, and will take place at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre based at Moorfields Eye Hospital.听

The funding comes from the Biomedical Catalyst scheme which supports UK academics and small to medium-sized businesses seeking to take their research from discovery through to commercialisation in order to deliver patient benefit. 听Dr Chris Watkins, Director of Translational Research & Industry at the MRC, said: 鈥淭his is an extremely exciting project because abnormal blood vessel growth is a feature of a whole range of diseases, including cancer.听 If the trial鈥檚 outcomes are good, this work could have important implications for other areas of medicine.鈥�

Professors Greenwood and Moss worked closely with 香港六合彩中特网 Business PLC, the technology transfer office of 香港六合彩中特网, to protect Magacizumab through a portfolio of patents that is managed by 香港六合彩中特网B.

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