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Creative Biolabs' experts have accurate knowledge and rich experience in half-life extension. We are equipped to offer high-quality half-life extension services.

Introduction of Macular Degeneration

Fig.1 Age-related macular degeneration.(Coleman, 2008)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) plays a crucial role in the vision loss of elderly people all over the world. As the disease progresses, people with AMD will experience the loss of central vision. There are two main forms of AMD including wet AMD and advanced dry AMD. Multiple factors can lead to AMD, such as ethnic origin, lipid, angiogenic, the combination of genetic. In addition, some environmental factors are also associated with AMD progressions, such as obesity, cigarette smoking, and nutritional factors.

Current Anti-VEGF Drugs

Several common treatments for AMD include laser photocoagulation and photodynamic eye therapy with verteporfin. In recent years, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has gradually been the main target for treating AMD. The treatment method for AMD incorporates intraocular injections of anti-VEGF agents, which has become the standard treatment for AMD. Several anti-VEGF drugs have already been approved for intravitreal administration, including anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies.

Application of Half-life Extended Drug in Macular Degeneration

Despite anti-VEGF drugs have achieved great success in treating AMD, drugs with different properties are still required. Moreover, repeated injection is needed to ensure the treatment effect, and the planned shortening of the injection interval will lead to a better treatment visual. The healing effect may be improved while the half-life of anti-VEGF drugs were prolonged. Based on this assumption, a full human DNA sequence engineered protein has been used for AMD. The drug binds to a specific extracellular domain of VEGFR, which may enhance the association rate of VEGF and prolong the half-life of the drug. More importantly, this drug demonstrates a high binding affinity for VEGF and a long half-life in AMD. Furthermore, the therapy of the drug is also effective. In a nutshell, the novel protein drug is a new option for AMD and may overcome the limitations of the current drugs.

In the past decade, much attention has been focused on anti-VEGF drugs that are emerging as a ponderable treatment for AMD. Creative Biolabs has accumulated a lot of experience in extending the half-life of the target drugs in AMD. If you are interested, please contact us for detailed information.

Reference

1. Coleman, H. R.;et al.Age-related macular degeneration. The Lancet.2008, 372(9652): 1835-1845.