Retinal Graft Treatment for Blindness
How AAGP® could break through current treatment barriers
Diseases such as diabetes can cause deterioration of the retina, particularly the macula, causing vision impairment and eventually blindness. Aging can also degrade the macula, leading to irreversible loss of vision. And the effect of unregulated blood sugar, as is possible with diabetes, can also lead to the condition known as diabetic retinopathy, in which blood vessels of the eye are damaged.
At ProtoKinetix, we imagine a future where retinal grafts using strong, healthy cells are able to restore vision in these patients — and we believe AAGP® can help.
Blindness causes
The leading causes of untreatable blindness are inherited and age-related retinal degeneration, according to a study published in The Lancet. More than 30 million people worldwide suffer from conditions such as these; 4 million or more in the U.S. are thought to have diabetic retinopathy, another cause of vision loss. Birth defects, injury, tumors, inflammation, and glaucoma can affect vision as well, possibly leading to blindness.
Although there are many different reasons for an eye to stop functioning optimally, at ProtoKinetix we are focused on causes for blindness which are associated with degeneration of macula.
Early symptoms of blindness
Blindness is the condition of being completely unable to see anything, even light. But often there are markers along the way before this point is reached.
- Eye sensitivity
- Blurriness
- Cloudy vision
- Dark spots or tunnel vision
- Poor night vision
Treatments for blindness
While some instances of low vision or vision impairment can be treated with aids such as glasses, contact lenses, or surgery, that’s not always a viable solution for eyes which have had retinal damage.
AAGP® as a potential solution
The properties of AAGP® could have the potential to improve the viability of retinal transplant grafts using a patient’s induced pluripotent stem cells. By adding this synthetic glycopeptide to the solution that irrigates and protects the transplanted material, we hope to extend the time available for keeping it viable. We have already seen gratifying results in test subjects, with vision restored in experimental models of blindness due to retinal degeneration.
ProtoKinetix research and clinical trials
Read more about the success so far and the results of our exploration into the achievements possible with AAGP®.
Market potential for retinal grafts
Broadly, the global market for organ transplantation is expected to reach $51 billion by 2025, driven by an increasingly aging population. Meanwhile, the market for ophthalmic treatments is itself expected to reach more than $35 billion in the same timeframe, indicating a strong demand for vision-centered pharmaceuticals and treatments.
More specifically, it’s expected that more than 56 million people will be affected by vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy by 2030, according to a report by Grandview Research.
2025 Market Forecast:
$9.6 Billion
Support our research into retinal transplant grafts for blindness, while also supporting your financial future. Contact your broker or reach out to our team at ProtoKinetix to learn about potential investment options.
ProtoKinetix, Inc.