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ADVANCING REGENERATIVE
TREATMENTS FOR AGEING
Researchers at Scripps Research and the early-stage AMD patients.
Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines Dr Peter Schultz, CEO of Scripps Research,
are making strides in regenerative medicine, describes this initiative as a “new frontier in
focusing on therapies for age-related diseases healthy ageing,” offering therapies that go
like macular degeneration, osteoarthritis, and beyond symptom management to repair
heart failure. These cutting-edge treatments damaged tissues. Meanwhile, Dr Michael
aim to repair tissue damage caused by ageing, Bollong, who co-leads the regenerative
offering potential alternatives to therapies programs, highlights the potential of small
that only slow disease progression or address molecule drugs to overcome the complexity,
symptoms. inefficiency, and costs associated with traditional
Their approach centres on small molecule cell-based therapies. These accessible treatments
drugs that act on the body’s own stem cells could pave the way for broader applications,
to guide regeneration. One area of significant including rejuvenating healthy tissues.
progress is age-related macular degeneration The researchers envision a future where
(AMD), where scientists have identified regenerative therapies not only treat diseases
compounds capable of expanding retinal but also reverse age-related damage, promising
pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. These drugs are transformative benefits for healthy ageing
undergoing laboratory and animal studies to populations. This breakthrough underscores
optimise a mechanism for regenerating the RPE a commitment to advancing therapies that
layer—a crucial component of retinal health. If blend innovation with accessibility, potentially
successful, the therapy could involve a single, reshaping the landscape of age-related
long-acting injection to restore retinal function in healthcare.
INNOVATIVE DEVICE EASES EYE DROP APPLICATION
Dr. Julie Schallhorn, an
ophthalmologist at the San Francisco Veterans designed for wide applicability.
Administration (VA) and associate professor at Working with the Veterans Engineering
the University of California, San Francisco, has Health Innovations Centre (VEHICLE) and the
created an innovative device to simplify eye drop VA Technology Transfer Assistance Program
application. Inspired by her patients’ difficulties, (TTAP), Schallhorn refined the design, adding an
particularly those with conditions like Parkinson’s ambidextrous grip, secure vial holder, and non-slip
disease, Schallhorn combined her clinical material for stability. The device was patented and
expertise with bioengineering to address the licensed to RAIN Eye Drops, an online provider of
challenges of using single-dose eye drop vials. preservative-free drops, and will be included in
Many patients struggle with maintaining their subscription service.
alignment and controlling hand strength, often Dr. John Kaplan, TTAP Director, emphasised the
leading to wasted medication. Schallhorn’s VA’s role in turning clinician ideas into impactful
device, initially a single-piece plastic prototype, products. Since 2020, over 380 VA inventions
includes a hammer-shaped handle for controlled have entered the market, demonstrating a
fluid release and a stabilising bar that rests on commitment to healthcare innovation. Dr.
the cheekbone for consistency. Recognising Schallhorn encourages other VA researchers to
the cheekbone's anatomical consistency, it was pursue patient-centered inventions.
22 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | NOV-DEC 2024 OPHTHALMIC NEWS
