Using tiny vesicles to improve treatment for eye diseases causing vision loss
Official title: Extracellular vesicle-based intraocular therapy combined with active targeting of ocular neovascularization
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11005056 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) by using tiny particles called exosomes to deliver medicine directly to the problem areas in your eye, with the hope of making treatments more effective and lasting for people like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $460,963 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034193-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005056 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who may not be responding well to current anti-VEGF therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of macular degeneration or those who do not have neovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD), a condition that can lead to blindness. It aims to enhance the effectiveness of current treatments by using exosomes, which are small vesicles that can deliver multiple drugs directly to the affected areas in the eye. The study will investigate how these exosomes can be modified to target the abnormal blood vessels causing vision problems, potentially providing a more effective and long-lasting treatment option. By understanding how these vesicles interact with retinal cells, the researchers hope to create a standardized and optimized therapy for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with NVAMD, reducing the need for frequent injections and improving vision outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using exosomes for targeted drug delivery in various conditions, indicating potential success for this novel approach in ocular therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Sun Young — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Lee, Sun Young
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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.