Regeneron is investigating the causes of, and potential treatments for a variety of serious eye diseases, particularly those characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels, impaired blood vessel function, and/or inflammation.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

By blocking the activity of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in the eye, the VEGF Trap-Eye is designed to prevent the abnormal blood vessel growth and vascular leakage associated with human eye diseases.

More About VEGF Trap - Eye »

Angiopoietins

In our ongoing efforts to identify additional regulators of vascular function, Regeneron scientists have discovered a new family of blood vessel-specific growth factors - the angiopoietins - and are continuing to investigate the potential of angiopoietin modulation for the treatment of eye diseases.

Delta-like Ligand 4

Scientists at Regeneron have discovered that delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) is strongly expressed on developing blood vessels where it acts as an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis.

Dll4 inhibition stimulates capillary sprouting, enhancing the growth of retinal vessels (Figure 1).

New Targets in Eye Research Will Help Treat Eye Diseases

By employing a variety of molecular discovery methods in conjunction with our proprietary VelociGene® technology, Regeneron scientists have identified and are validating numerous molecular targets.

These targets may play key roles in the development of vascular and inflammatory diseases of the eye, including:

  • Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)
  • Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
  • Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
  • Retinopathy of prematurity
  • Corneal neovascularization (Figure 2) and transplant rejection
  • Uveitis

Highlights


delta-like 4 ligand
Figure 1. Pharmacological inhibition of Dll4 stimulates capillary sprouting, enhancing the growth of retinal vessels. These new vessels (stained green in the panel on the left) rapidly become functional, as evidenced by their filling with a dye injected into the blood stream (right panel).

Comeal injury
Figure 2. Corneal injury can stimulate the growth of blood (brown) and lymphatic vessels (purple) into the normally avascular cornea, impairing vision. The presence of blood and lymphatic vessels in the cornea also facilitates immune rejection of corneal transplants. Regeneron scientists are investigating the mechanisms that mediate inflammation and neovascularization in diverse types of ocular injury and disease in order to develop novel treatments for these conditions.