New treatment for optic neuritis using a targeted small molecule inhibitor
Official title: Development of a Novel, Targeted Small Molecule Inhibitor of the Nucleoside Salvage Pathway to Treat Optic Neuritis
Funded at Trethera Corporation · NIH-11031427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new medication called TRE-515 to help people with optic neuritis, a condition that can cause vision problems, by targeting certain immune cells to reduce inflammation and improve vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trethera Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sherman Oaks, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $622,448 |
| NIH project number | 5R42EY034397-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031427 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with optic neuritis who are experiencing vision loss and have not fully recovered with standard steroid treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with optic neuritis who have already progressed to multiple sclerosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new small molecule drug, TRE-515, aimed at treating optic neuritis, an autoimmune condition that can lead to vision loss. The approach involves inhibiting a specific enzyme, deoxycytidine kinase, which plays a crucial role in the activation of immune cells that contribute to the disease. By targeting these immune cells, the research aims to improve not only visual acuity but also other important visual functions that are often affected in patients. The study builds on promising preclinical findings that suggest TRE-515 can reduce inflammation and demyelination in the optic nerve.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved visual outcomes and quality of life for patients suffering from optic neuritis.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in targeting immune cell activation in similar autoimmune conditions, suggesting that this approach may be promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Trethera Corporation
Sherman Oaks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schultz, Kenneth — Trethera Corporation
- Study coordinator: Schultz, Kenneth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Protecting vision in optic neuritis by restoring cholesterol balance
Researchers are working to restore cholesterol recycling in the eye and brain to protect nerve cells and help preserve vision for people with optic neuritis from MS.
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Understanding how immune responses damage nerve cells in optic neuritis
This study is looking at how the immune system can harm nerve cells in the eyes during optic neuritis, which is often seen in multiple sclerosis, and it hopes to find new ways to protect vision by understanding the role of certain proteins in this process.
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Privosegtor for optic neuritis: a late-phase test with standard care
This trial tests whether privosegtor, added to the usual methylprednisolone treatment, helps people experiencing a first episode of optic neuritis.
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Testing the 2022 Optic Neuritis Criteria in suspected cases of optic neuritis
We’re trying to see if the 2022 criteria can correctly identify optic neuritis in patients with new or recent vision problems, including people with certain antibody types.
-
Early versus rescue plasma exchange for severe optic neuritis and transverse myelitis
This trial will see if starting plasma exchange early versus using it only as a rescue after high-dose steroids improves vision for adults with severe optic neuritis and improves neurologic recovery for adults with severe transverse myelitis.
-
Efgartigimod to speed vision recovery in acute optic neuritis
This pilot will test whether efgartigimod given with standard steroids helps adults having their first episode of optic neuritis regain vision faster and more fully than placebo.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.