Danegaptide oral pill shows promise in preventing diabetic retinopathy blindness

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin and Breye Therapeutics are testing an experimental oral medication, danegaptide, designed to prevent vision-threatening damage from non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). NPDR is the most common stage of diabetes-related eye disease and can lead to permanent blindness if the blood vessels in the retina weaken and leak fluid.

Unlike current treatments that often require frequent, invasive injections directly into the eye, danegaptide aims to repair and strengthen the inner blood-retina barrier. In laboratory models, the drug reduced retinal swelling and vessel leakage, showing results comparable to injected therapies.

An early human study involving 24 patients found the drug to be safe and well-tolerated. Approximately 55% of participants showed signs of biological activity, including improvements in retinal thickness and reduced leakage. The research team now intends to proceed to randomized phase II clinical trials to establish long-term efficacy and optimal dosing.