Biotech Showcase 2024: A Wave of Innovation Washes Over Healthcare’s Future (Ophthalmology Sector)

In episode three of Biotech Showcase 2024 (BTS 2024), GeneOnline has wrapped up a series of companies’ which focus on the Ophthalmology area, highlighted in alphabetical order for the readers to catch up with the wave of innovative ideas and how the companies put them into reality.

Eye, millions of years honed this living lens, a gateway to worlds seen and unseen, held within the fragile shell of this elegant organ. However, this jewelry is now gradually dimming due to the 3C generation, followed by increasing prevalence of various kinds of eye conditions ranging from myopia, cataract, glaucoma to macular degeneration. Therefore, we have seen many companies focusing on Ophthalmology in BTS 2024.

Macular degeneration

Ermaris Bio, PBC presented its oral therapeutic development for Stargardt Disease and dry age-related macular degeneration, emphasizing the potential of bispecific drugs to treat these vision impairments and related conditions like TTR amyloidosis.

Macula Vision Systems, with its roots in Tucson, AZ, and Boston, MA, presented a revolutionary approach to clinical pathology diagnostics. Leveraging next-generation imaging and AI-based interpretation, their technology promises to be 10 times better, 15 times faster, and 10 times cheaper than the current gold standard. Oleg Gusyatin, the President and Founder, showcased how their system combines solid-state imaging with AI for improved performance in cyto- and histo-pathology samples.

Diabetic retinopathy

Exonate Ltd. shared successful results from their Phase Ib/IIa trial for EXN407, aiming to provide a non-invasive treatment for diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema. The trial’s success paves the way for a Phase II study to further establish the drug’s efficacy.

Retinal Diseases

Hyperion Therapeutics grabbed attention with its presentation on Stress Resilience-Enhancing Drugs (SREDs), poised to revolutionize the treatment of retinal diseases like AMD, DR, RP, and glaucoma. These small-molecule medications, hailing from their Systems Pharmacology platform, promise effectiveness in treating diseases linked to aging, stress, and neurodegeneration. The company’s focus on diseases with limited treatment options marks a significant stride in ophthalmology. 

Blindness

Besides, Hyperion Therapeutics also emphasized the importance of developing new medications for leading global causes of blindness. With their innovative approach towards SREDs, they aim to introduce a new class of treatments that could significantly impact the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other critical eye conditions.

Author

Oscar Wu