Adeona and National Neurovision Research Institute (NNRI) will test flupirtine in several established animal models with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at the NNRI Preclinical Assessment Center at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami. Should these studies provide positive results, Adeona and the NNRI will explore proceeding to clinical trials using flupirtine in RP.
Adeona has previously obtained an option to license issued and pending patents covering flupirtine’s use for the treatment of ophthalmic disorders, such as RP, glaucoma and age- related macular degeneration. Through clinical experience in Europe, approximately 27 RP patients have taken flupirtine for up to five years.
Steve Rose, chief research officer of Foundation Fighting Blindness, said: “Flupirtine offers a potential new approach to effectively treat people affected by retinitis pigmentosa. RP is among the most difficult to treat and represents a significant unmet medical need. Flupirtine has the potential to change the lives of patients affected by this devastating condition that is a major cause of vision loss.”