Mito-protective compounds for diabetic retinopathy treatment
Innovative UTAS compounds offer superior protection for retinal pericytes, potentially preventing diabetic retinopathy-related vision loss. These patent-protected compounds normalize vascular function and are being tested in advanced in vivo models.
Overview
The University of Tasmania has developed patent-protected compounds aimed at preventing diabetic retinopathy by protecting retinal pericytes. These innovative compounds are designed to normalize vascular function in conditions of mitochondrial dysfunction, which is crucial as pericytes are the first cells to become dysfunctional in diabetic patients, leading to vision loss. The compounds are superior to existing clinical development drugs targeting the same molecular pathways, offering a promising approach to safeguard vision.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Mito-protective action: Restores vascular function and protects pericytes by normalizing calcium homeostasis.
- Targeted delivery: Administered as once-daily eye drops to directly address retinal health.
- In vivo efficacy: Demonstrated full protection against retinal blood leakage and vision restoration in experimental models.
- Comparative advantage: Outperforms reference compounds targeting mitochondrial dysfunction.
Applications:
- Treatment for diabetic retinopathy
- Potential applications in other diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction and vascular integrity
Technology readiness level
The compounds are currently at Technology Readiness Level 4, having shown efficacy in controlled laboratory settings and progressing towards validation in advanced in vivo models. Future studies will further test their protective capabilities in diabetic retinopathy and brain hypoxia-reperfusion models.
About University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a comprehensive public research university with a statewide footprint across Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. Industry connects through co‑located assets including the Australian Maritime College’s hydrodynamics and simulation facilities and the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies in Hobart’s Antarctic gateway, plus clinical schools embedded in state hospitals. An Industry 4.0 Integrity of Food Testlab and the Launceston Institute help SMEs trial digital technologies and collaborate with university expertise, while the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture runs research farms that enable scale‑up and extension. Research is supported by competitive funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council. Commercialisation is delivered by InVent (Innovation Ventures), providing IP management, licensing and startup pathways.
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