Currently, all proteins injected into the vitreous can only target cell surface receptors or secreted proteins such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
There is no efficient method available to deliver recombinant proteins to the inside of cells.
We have developed a novel chaperone that can co-deliver small and large molecules to the inside of retinal cells, specifically the photoreceptors following intravitreal injection.
There is no need for complicated conjugation chemistry and thus the properties of the therapeutic protein is unaltered.
This novel technology enables mobilization of the hundreds of recombinant proteins known to be of therapeutic benefit but have no method available for their delivery into retinal cells.
Nuc1 may enable a yet untapped field in the area of protein delivery in the field of ophthalmology.