Balancing VEGF

Exonate Ltd. is developing small molecule inhibitors of SRPK1 to restore the balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic VEGF isoforms in angiogenesis-mediated diseases, with an initial focus on ophthalmologic indications. The company's eye drop formulations of the inhibitors could be safer than marketed anti-angiogenic therapies for wet age-related macular degeneration.

Alternative splicing of VEGF mRNA results in different isoforms, some of which are pro-angiogenic and some of which are anti-angiogenic. In healthy tissue, the balance of these isoforms prevents abnormal angiogenesis while enabling healthy blood vessel growth. ...