Ocular bandage film receives additional U.S. Army funding

EyeGate subsidiary Jade Therapeutics has received a second year of funding from the U.S. Department of Defense to continue developing their novel protective bandage for ocular surface injuries.

The grant of $448,185 brings the total amount awarded from the U.S Army’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to $1.25 million.

Preclinical research on the thiolated hyaluronic acid (CMHA-S) polymer has demonstrated a potential for advanced wound healing, and its film form may act as a non-adhering protective bandage for ocular surface injuries.

“Our novel, polymer-based room temperature stable ocular surface bandage can be applied immediately at the time of eye injury to treat both acute and chronic ocular surface conditions, with the potential to greatly reduce post-incident complications which could lead to permanent eye injury or blindness,” said EyeGate CMO Barbara Wirostko, MD. “The product has the potential to benefit both the military and civilian populations not only as a treatment for traumatic injury, but also as a bandage for ocular surface defects, inflammation, corneal damage and other conditions.”

The biocompatible can be applied quickly without glue or sutures, can increase drug retention in eye tissues, and requires infrequent reapplication. Jade has planned an in vivo study in dogs.