ThromboGenics publishes data on Diabetic Retinopathy possible therapy

ThromboGenics publishes data on Diabetic Retinopathy possible therapy

October 9, 2017 Off By Dino Mustafić

ThromboGenics’s preclinical data on its THR-317 have been published in Experimental Eye Research, the company said on Monday.

Experimental Eye Research peer-reviewed ThromboGenics’ pre-clinical studies designed to investigate inhibition of placental growth factor (PlGF) as a possible therapy for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). The effect of the murine form of THR-317 was evaluated in various animal models by studying different DR disease hallmarks, including vascular leakage, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and fibrosis.

In its overall conclusion, the authors confirm that the anti-PlGF antibody shared a common pharmacology towards vascular leakage in comparison to VEGF inhibitors which are currently the standard of care for DR.  Anti-PlGF therapy might provide additional benefits in respect to the reduction of inflammation, the absence of a negative impact on the neuroretina, and the inhibition of fibrotic responses after retinal damage, as such supporting its therapeutic potential for treating DR.

The article ‘Neutralization of placental growth factor as a novel treatment option in diabetic retinopathy’ can be consulted online here.

Patrik De Haes, MD, CEO of ThromboGenics, said: “We are pleased that our cutting-edge research is being published in the prestigious Experimental Eye Research journal. The published preclinical data show that, the murine form of THR-317 is able to reduce vascular leakage, inflammation and fibrosis in the mouse eye, without triggering a neurodegenerative response. The data further validate the therapeutic potential of THR-317 for treating Diabetic Retinopathy.”

ThromboGenics is conducting a Phase I/IIa clinical study evaluating THR-317 (anti-PlGF) for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). The trial was initiated in January 2017 and assesses THR-317’s activity in subjects with DME.  Study results are expected during Q1 2018.