A*STAR, Singapore’s leading public sector research agency, has received a significant boost with a US$1.69m (approx. S$2.2m) award from 65LAB to advance a pioneering therapy for optic neuropathies, including glaucoma and Non-arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). This funding will expedite the optimisation and preclinical evaluation of compounds designed to protect retinal ganglion cells from degeneration.
The project is spearheaded by Professor Ashok Venkitaraman and Dr Zachary Gates, both affiliated with A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and the National University of Singapore. Their research focuses on developing selective inhibitors that could offer a new therapeutic approach by directly protecting retinal neurons, a mechanism not addressed by current treatments.
Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is projected to affect 111.8 million people globally by 2040, with Asia bearing a significant portion of this burden. Current treatments primarily target intraocular pressure, leaving a gap in therapies that directly protect retinal neurons. NAION, which causes sudden vision loss, similarly lacks approved treatments.
Professor Venkitaraman emphasised the importance of the funding, stating, “The path from discovery to medicine requires both scientific excellence and strong translational partnerships. This support from 65LAB will enable us to advance a promising new approach for optic neuropathies whilst accelerating its journey towards real-world impact.”
65LAB, established by global investors including ClavystBio and Evotec, aims to drive scientific advancement and create biotech ventures in Singapore. Since its inception in July 2024, it has committed $6.4m to projects across Duke-NUS, NUS, and A*STAR, focusing on various medical challenges.
