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Tech Webinar: Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Peptides for Treating Retinal Degeneration

Person watching a webinar on a laptop computer.

May 22, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

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This webinar was originally scheduled for January 31 and rescheduled for May 22. It will be rescheduled again for fall 2024.

Register to learn about a potential, novel treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Over 100,000 in the U.S. and 1.5 million people worldwide suffer from RP, which leads to progressive photoreceptor cell degeneration and ultimately vision loss. A new therapeutic technology from the National Eye Institute has the potential to be a treatment option for RP patients and may also protect retinal cells from damage associated with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Attend the webinar to assess the technology for partnership and licensing opportunities.

About the Featured Technology

Dr. Becerra and her team at the NEI developed a novel therapeutic pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) peptide that exhibits a highly potent effect on photoreceptor protection in in vivo mouse models. This novel therapeutic PEDF peptide contains a 17 amino acid residue section of the human PEDF protein that incorporates an amino acid substitution at position 105, changing the original histidine to an alanine (PEDF 17-mer[H105A]). This amino acid substitution exhibits a highly potent effect on photoreceptor protection in in vivo mouse models of RP.  The treatment method considers an eyedrop formulation to deliver the novel PEDF peptide to a patient’s eye, in addition to an AAV2-based delivery system, to deliver a nucleic acid encoding the novel PEDF peptide or the PEDF 17-mer[H105A] peptide.

The Presenter

Dr. Patricia Becerra, National Eye Institute

Patricia Becerra, Ph.D. 
Senior Investigator
Section on Protein Structure and Function
National Eye Institute (NEI)

Technology Competition Advantages

  • Eye drops are less intrusive and less expensive alternative to current FDA approved retinal implant being used to treat late-stage RP
  • Eye drop PEDF peptide formulation accessible to more patients than a retinal implant
  • Eye drop PEDF peptide formulation provides an easy administration route 
  • PEDF peptide formulation mimics the natural protective process lost in patients with inherited eye diseases contributing to RP

Why attend?

  • Assess co-developing the technology
  • Interact with the inventor, ask questions and provide feedback
  • Learn how to partner with the NEI (or NIH)

Who should attend?

  • Business development professionals
  • Investors and entrepreneurs
  • Scientific and drug development professionals 
  • Biotech/pharma/academia researchers
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