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$600,000 grant to further research into new drug class for eye diseases
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BALTIMORE — The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust awarded the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins and Allegro Ophthalmics $600,000 to continue studies of Allegro's Integrin Peptide Therapy, according to a news release.
The funds will help further research into the new drug class for treatment of diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and wet age-related macular degeneration, the release said.
"Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are global health concerns, and diabetes retinopathy is a major complication of both diseases that currently has limited therapeutic options," Dana Ball, program director at the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, said. "Improving outcomes is a goal of the Helmsley [type 1 diabetes] program, and this partnership offers the opportunity to address an unmet need and underscores our commitment."
Integrin Peptide Therapy works to stop production of abnormal blood vessels at their source, the release said. It may be used as a stand-alone therapy or as a complement to existing treatments.
The Wilmer Eye Institute conducted studies demonstrating the compound's efficacy at reducing neovascularization, the release said.