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Scientists working to develop new glaucoma treatments
The global company Santen is launching a research initiative with scientists from Massachusetts Eye and Ear , a hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School , and the United Kingdom ’ s Ulster University to research and develop novel treatments for glaucoma .
A leading cause of blindness , glaucoma affects more than 250,000 Canadians and an estimated 79.6 million people worldwide . Seniors are at increased risk for the disease , with the risk of developing glaucoma increasing slightly each year after 60 .
" Santen has been committed to the discovery and advancement of sight-saving therapeutics for more than 130 years . Through this collaborative research initiative with Mass Eye and Ear and Ulster University – distinguished institutions and academic leaders in ophthalmology research – we will employ our collective ophthalmic expertise to further the mission of preserv- ing vision for those affected by glaucoma around the world ," says Najam Sharif , vice-president and head of global alliances and external research at Santen Inc ., which specializes in ophthalmology .
" There are currently no effective treatments for glaucoma that protect the optic nerve cells from degenerating , leading to irreversible vision loss for many glaucoma patients ," added Meredith S . Gregory-Ksander , an associate scientist at the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear , and assistant professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School .
" Our research aims to determine if targeting a component of the immune system called the NLRP3 inflammasome , with a novel biologic we developed in collaboration with Dr . Victoria McGilligan , will stop the degeneration of optic nerve cells and help preserve vision in glaucoma patients ."
Dr . Victoria McGilligan , lecturer in personalised medicine at the Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine , Ulster University said , " It is fantastic to have such strong industry interest , and of course funding and expertise , from a company with a long history in ophthalmology like Santen , which will
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