New treatment to help heal damaged corneas
Official title: A Novel Therapeutic to Promote Corneal Repair
Funded at Microcures, INC. · NIH-11311338 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A topical eye medicine aims to speed closure and nerve regrowth after cornea injuries like chemical burns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Microcures, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $699,917 |
| NIH project number | 5R42EY034791-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11311338 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with recent moderate-to-severe corneal injuries—for example large epithelial wounds or alkali/chemical burns—who need faster wound closure and nerve recovery are potential candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with minor superficial scratches, active infectious keratitis, or chronic non-injury degenerative corneal diseases may not benefit from this specific acute wound-repair therapy.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a topical therapy that delivers a molecule targeting corneal cell and nerve repair to the site of injury. The approach uses a localized formulation designed to stay on the eye and slowly release the active agent to promote faster epithelial migration and reinnervation. Preclinical tests use laboratory assays and animal models to measure wound closure, tissue remodeling, and recovery of corneal sensation. If those results are favorable, the program could move toward clinical testing in people with significant corneal wounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: May shorten healing time, reduce risk of ulceration or scarring, and restore corneal clarity and sensation after serious corneal injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Some topical therapies and nerve growth factor treatments have shown benefit for corneal healing, but targeting the FL2 mechanism for localized tissue remodeling is a novel approach with limited prior human data.
Where this research is happening
-
Microcures, INC.
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kramer, Adam Hildyard — Microcures, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kramer, Adam Hildyard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A patient-facing program is testing a tiny therapy that targets a specific brain/spinal cord protein to help people recover movement after a spinal cord injury.
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A new treatment to help heal corneal injuries
This study is testing a new treatment to help heal corneal injuries, especially from burns, by speeding up the healing process and reducing inflammation, so patients with these injuries can recover better and faster.
-
Improving recovery after spinal cord injuries by targeting a specific protein.
This study is looking at a new way to help people recover better after spinal cord injuries by using a special treatment that targets a protein called Fidgetin-like 2, which could help nerves grow and improve movement and bladder control.
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.