EyeDura Partners with Singapore Eye Research Institute for Insulin-Based Neurotrophic Keratitis Treatment
Key Insights
EyeDura Therapeutics (search) has initiated preclinical efficacy studies with the Singapore Eye Research Institute to advance its insulin-based topical eye drop treatment for neurotrophic keratitis (search), a rare eye disease affecting approximately 71,000 patients in the U.S.
The company's sustained-release technology has the potential to deliver therapeutic levels of drug from a single drop for seven days or longer, potentially improving patient adherence and reducing treatment costs.
Current treatments for neurotrophic keratitis (search) are limited, complex, and burdensome, highlighting the significant unmet medical need for innovative therapies.
EyeDura Therapeutics (search) Inc. has announced the initiation of preclinical efficacy studies with the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) to advance its lead insulin-based topical eye drop treatment for neurotrophic keratitis (search) (NK), a rare eye disease affecting approximately 71,000 patients in the United States.
Strategic Partnership for Rare Disease Treatment
The collaboration with SERI represents a significant milestone for EyeDura's development program targeting neurotrophic keratitis (search), a condition that causes progressive corneal damage, vision loss, and in severe cases, blindness. "This partnership with SERI, a global leader in ophthalmic research, strengthens our ability to deliver innovative treatments for NK," said Srini Venkatesh, PhD, MBA, CEO of EyeDura. "It accelerates our clinical development and supports our mission to expand access to transformative therapies worldwide."
Associate Prof Yu-Chi Liu, MCI, MD, PhD, Co-Head of Regenerative Therapy and Clinical Scientist at SERI, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: "We are excited to collaborate with EyeDura to address the unmet needs in NK treatment. By leveraging SERI's expertise and preclinical models, we aim to generate pivotal data to advance this promising therapy toward clinical success."
Novel Sustained-Release Technology
EyeDura's approach centers on its proprietary sustained-release technology, which has the potential to deliver therapeutic levels of drug from a single drop for seven days or longer. This represents a significant advancement over traditional eye drops that require multiple daily doses, potentially improving patient adherence and reducing treatment costs.
"EyeDura continues to build strategic partnerships and this is a positive and clear signal of the potential importance and value of our novel sustained-release technology," said Bill Link, PhD, Chairman of the Board.
Addressing Significant Unmet Medical Need
Current treatments for neurotrophic keratitis (search) are limited, complex, and burdensome, underscoring the critical need for innovation in this therapeutic area. The company's lead program, EYED-002 (search), is developing insulin for neurotrophic keratitis, with IND submission planned for Q3 2026.
Company Background and Technology Platform
EyeDura Therapeutics (search) is a seed-funded ophthalmic pharmaceutical company developing preservative-free topical sustained-release eye drops that target both anterior and posterior segment diseases. Cofounded by Dr. John Vukich and Dr. Kevin Waltz, the company's Topical Sustained Release technology platform is compatible with most active pharmaceutical ingredients currently used in ophthalmic products, including both small molecules and biologics.
The technology is protected by a global patent portfolio through 2044, with coverage across the U.S., Europe, China, Japan, and other key markets.
Research Institute Collaboration
The Singapore Eye Research Institute, established in 1997, serves as Singapore's national research institute for ophthalmic and vision research. The institute has grown from a founding team of five in 1997 to a faculty of more than 250 staff, making it one of Singapore's largest research institutes and the largest eye research institute in the Asia Pacific region.
SERI has published 5,942 scientific papers, secured substantial external competitive grants, and as of December 2024, its faculty has received more than 1,425 national and international prizes while filing 188 patents. The institute ranks first globally in terms of eye publications per capita.