Praetego awarded $300,000 by National Eye Institute to advance novel oral drug for diabetic retinopathy

According to the company, this award initiates a collaboration with Alistair Barber, PhD, a professor of Ophthalmology and a researcher in diabetic retinopathy at Penn State University. (Adobe Stock image)

Praetego Inc. received a $300,000 STTR award from the National Eye Institute.

The Phase 1 award advances Praetego's lead candidate, PTG-630, into preclinical proof of concept in diabetic retinopathy.

According to the company, its proprietary small molecules (Amadorins) are already demonstrating neuroprotection in the central and peripheral nervous systems in multiple models of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging. It is now established that diabetic retinopathy (DR) is both a neurodegenerative and a microvascular disease.

The company noted that its lead Amadorin is being developed as a novel oral candidate for DR, a desired alternative to injectables. The award allows Praetego to establish the merits of PTG-630 ahead of a clinical program.

Praetego's NEI grant expands PTG-630 to a third indication and builds upon promising findings in both Alzheimer's disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It complements active awards from the National Institute of Aging and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

This award initiates a collaboration with Alistair Barber, PhD, a professor of Ophthalmology and a researcher in diabetic retinopathy at Penn State University.