Novel eye spray device to improve glaucoma drug delivery
Official title: Novel Ocular Aerosol Drug Delivery Device for the Treatment Optimization of Glaucoma.
Funded at Via Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11314713 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, easy-to-use aerosol device aims to deliver tiny amounts of glaucoma medicine to the eye to improve local absorption and reduce systemic side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Via Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | September 29, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $277,143 |
| NIH project number | 1R43EY038569-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11314713 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with glaucoma who require topical ocular medications and may benefit from improved local drug delivery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not using topical eye medications or those with conditions that preclude eye spray administration may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant funds development of a soft mist eye device that sprays very small volumes, called micro-volume aerosol instillations, to increase how much drug stays in the eye. By optimizing device parameters, the goal is to improve how well the medicine reaches front-of-eye tissues while minimizing waste. The work will focus on pharmacokinetics in the eye and how the small-volume mist behaves compared with traditional eye drops. If successful, this could mean better control of glaucoma with fewer systemic side effects and less wasted medication.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with glaucoma could receive more medicine where it’s needed in the eye, potentially improving effectiveness and reducing side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests small-volume delivery can improve ocular absorption, but this project tests a new soft mist device for practical use.
Where this research is happening
-
Via Therapeutics, LLC
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herpin, Matthew — Via Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Herpin, Matthew
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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.