If glaucoma is left untreated, it can lead to blindness.–Courtesy of NIH

LipoLat, a controlled-release glaucoma therapeutic, is a suspension of nanocapsules each trapping a payload of drug. Designed as an injection into the conjunctiva (the outer layer of the eye), LipoLat gradually released the drug and was as effective as eye drops for as long as three months in preclinical trials. According to the researchers, this is now ready to move into human studies.

12th feb 2013

preclinical trials

http://media.ntu.edu.sg/NewsReleases/Pages/newsdetail.aspx?news=15fdbb3e-6724-4bc9-a699-a486c25f510e

For glaucoma patients, taking daily medication will soon become a thing of the past. With Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) newest solution, a simple, quick and painless injection four times a year would be enough. The solution contains an anti-glaucoma drug wrapped in nano-sized capsules, and is delivered by an injection into the outer layer in the front of the eye (conjunctiva) by the doctor.

The nanocarrier will then slowly release the drug over several weeks. LipoLat, as it is known, is now ready for clinical trials. Extensive pre-clinical studies have shown that this single injection is as effective at treating glaucoma as taking daily eye drops for up to three months.

The newly launched Ocular Therapeutic Engineering Centre will work on this research. Housed at NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering, the center builds upon the School’s successful research collaboration with the Singapore Eye Research Institute. The center’s director Professor Subbu Venkatraman, who is also the school chair, said the center will build on the strong research collaboration between clinical scientists and NTU technologists, to develop new drug delivery systems for the eye.

“I hope to showcase this as a good example of how close interactions between medical practitioners and technology providers can lead to rapid translation of ideas to the clinic, such as LipoLat,” said Prof Venkatraman. “We are confident that the products co-developed at the centre will lead on to further discoveries and innovations in ocular therapy.” Working closely with Prof Venkatraman as the co-director of the center is Dr Tina Wong, an adjunct associate professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering and a senior consultant at the Singapore National Eye Centre. She is also head of the Ocular Therapeutics and Drug Delivery Research Group at the Singapore Eye Research Institute
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Extensive pre-clinical studies have shown that a single injection of the solution developed by Nanyang Technological University is effective in treating glaucoma

The solution developed by the university contains an anti-glaucoma drug wrapped in nano-sized capsules

The solution developed by the university contains an anti-glaucoma drug wrapped in nano-sized capsules

Working closely with Prof Venkatraman (picture) as the Co-Director of the centre is Dr Tina Wong (picture)