Why hasn’t this been done yet?
Because getting large drug molecules (i.e Lucentis & Avastin) all the way to the back of the eye is a challenge. Given the many layers of the cornea, the conjunctiva, the sclera, the blood-retinal barrier, drop dilution from tears….you could say there are a few obstacles to drug penetration.
So how did they do it?
CPP = cell penetrating peptides.
Through the magic of biochemistry, scientists found that attaching CPP within a drop aids in drug delivery.
What did the study find?
Their anti-VEGF drop with CPP (dosed daily) was just a efficacious as a single intravitreal injection in reducing areas of CNV in mouse, rat, and pig eyes.
The authors state, “Efficacious self-administered drug application by eye drop would lead to a significant reduction in adverse outcomes and health care costs compared with current treatments”.
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