Topical HIF-1 inhibitors to treat retinal and choroidal vascular diseases
Official title: Topical delivery of HIF-1 inhibitors for retinal and choroidal vascular diseases
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11418368 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Johns Hopkins team is testing eye drops that block HIF-1 to help people with retinal and choroidal blood vessel problems respond better to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $436,695 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036027-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418368 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with neovascular AMD or related choroidal/neovascular diseases who are eligible for intraocular or topical therapies and can tolerate eye drops or targeted ocular delivery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-vascular retinal diseases or those who do not respond to HIF-1 inhibitors in preclinical models may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores delivering HIF-1 inhibitors directly to the eye to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth in conditions like neovascular age-related macular degeneration. By targeting HIF-1, which controls several factors involved in eye vessel growth, the study aims to provide a longer-lasting, non-invasive therapy. The work builds on animal models to show that therapeutic drug levels can be reached without toxicity, with the goal of a patient-friendly, self-administered treatment. If successful, this approach could complement or surpass current frequent injections, potentially reducing vision loss from CNV and RNV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience more convenient, long-acting treatment that slows or stops abnormal eye vessel growth and helps preserve vision.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies have shown that intraocular delivery of HIF-1 inhibitors can prevent retinal and choroidal neovascularization, supporting potential translational value.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ensign, Laura — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Ensign, Laura
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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.