A new oral medication to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy

A Novel Small Molecule for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

NIH-funded research Excitant Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-10686087

This study is testing a new pill that aims to help prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy, a common cause of vision loss for people with diabetes, by tackling several issues at once to improve eye health.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionExcitant Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Oklahoma City, United States)
Project IDNIH-10686087 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a novel oral medication aimed at preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness. The approach involves targeting multiple factors contributing to DR, rather than relying on single-target therapies that may not work for all patients. The medication works by activating a specific receptor in the body that has shown promise in reducing retinal damage associated with DR. Patients will be monitored for improvements in their eye health and overall condition as part of the treatment process.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with early-stage diabetic retinopathy, particularly those with type 2 diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy or those who do not have diabetes may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-invasive and effective treatment option for patients with diabetic retinopathy, potentially reducing the risk of blindness.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that oral medications targeting similar pathways have been effective in treating diabetic retinopathy, indicating a promising avenue for this research.

Where this research is happening

Oklahoma City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.