Nanotechnology platform for eye diseases

By Goodrich, Riquelme y Asociados

Mexico has developed a groundbreaking nanotechnology platform for retinal drug delivery offering a more amenable and affordable treatment for some of the world’s most common eye diseases. 
CRMQ (Centro de Retina Medica y Quirúrigca), which specializes in retinal diseases, was one of the seven winners of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Awards 2023.

The institution was granted a patent for a nanotechnology platform for drug delivery to the retina. It has developed a research model that utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to solve relevant needs in ophthalmology. The technology encapsulates an active agent (proteins, antibodies, steroids, or other drugs) in a liposome and administer it as a simple eye drop. In this way, it can achieve concentrations, which over time, are equivalent to those achieved by an injection. 

"CRMQs technology exemplifies the strategic utilization of IP assets to secure a competitive edge in the market. By harnessing patents and trademarks, CRMQ ensures exclusivity and paves the way for future collaborations and global introductions of pioneering pharmacological products, underscoring their commitment to promoting and maintaining healthy vision, worldwide." the WIPO stated in a press release.

Blindness and visual impairment are pervasive global health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from vision impairment or blindness, with the majority of cases concentrated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

This statistic highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the issue on a global scale. In many instances, the causes of blindness and vision impairment are preventable or treatable, emphasizing the critical importance of accessible and cost-effective healthcare interventions. Preventable blindness is often linked to conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors, which can be addressed with timely medical intervention, including surgeries and vision correction.