SBIR-STTR Award

The long term goal of this project is to develop a dual acting inhibitor of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to block the angiogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and related diseases. Compounds have been identified which are potent antagonists of bFGF action and certain of these compounds also appear to block the activity of VEGF. These compounds are low molecular weight synthetic molecules which are structurally appropriate for pharmacological development. One has shown potent anti-angiogenic activity in a preliminary corneal angiogenesis assay. The applicants propose to characterize these compounds in a series of biochemical and cell biological assays to select two candidates for testing in a murine model of growth factor stimulated corneal angiogenesis using either bFGF or VEGF. Evidence of efficacy in this model system will lead to testing in relevant animal models of ischemic ocular angiogenesis and optimization of a lead compound for preclinical development. A drug which can inhibit ischemic intraocular angiogenesis would find usage in treating diabetic retinopathy and related visual disorders that can lead to blindness.National Eye Institute (NEI)