Publication of review article highlights potential of dazdotufide as potential treatment DR, AMD, and DME
The open source article reports on the anti-inflammatory compound and its potential to treat retinal diseases.
The open source article reports on the anti-inflammatory compound and its potential to treat retinal diseases. (Image Credit: Adobe Stock/Cozine)
Tarsier Pharma Ltd announced the publication of a review article introducing Tarsier's lead new chemical entity dazdotuftide (formerly known as TRS). This compound is described as multitarget anti-inflammatory compound, offering a new treatment approach for blinding ocular diseases including Diabetic retinopathy (DR), Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic macular edema (DME).1
The article was authored by Dr. Vofo and Prof. Chowers, an AMD expert serving as the chairman of the Division of Ophthalmology at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. The peer reviewed article "Suppressing Inflammation for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Dazdotuftide as a Potential New Multitarget Therapeutic Candidate", was published in the journal Biomedicines in May 2023.
While anti-VEGF compounds serve as the mainstay treatment for DR, AMD, and DME, their efficacy can be inadequate, and the need for frequent intravitreal injections poses challenges for both patients and the healthcare system. Despite identifying multiple inflammatory pathways and mediators as significant contributors to the development of DR and AMD, treatment options targeting these pathways remain limited. Dazdotuftide demonstrates the ability to target multiple inflammatory pathways, such as NRP1, TLR, and ACE-2, while simultaneously activating anti-inflammatory macrophages. This approach positions dazdotuftide as a potential therapeutic option for effectively managing DR, DME, and AMD.
Prof. Chowers shared his excitement for non-VEGF retinal disease treatment that is effective in the press release. "Dazdotuftide represents an innovative therapeutic approach that addresses the unmet medical need for effective treatment of diseases such as AMD, DE, and DME. The prospect of having a non-anti VEGF targeted therapy for retinal diseases is exciting; it may lead to reduced treatment burden and improved outcome in these common diseases."
Daphne Haim-Langford, CEO of Tarsier Pharma, added his hopes for the future of the treatment and its formulations in the press release. "We are eager to accelerate our TRS02 program, a slow release biodegradable formulation of dazdotuftide, to the clinic and continue are journey to develop effective and safe treatment options for blinding ocular diseases and make positive impact on patients' lives."
