Long-Acting Ocular Implants to Transform Treatment of Retinal Diseases
Summary of the impact
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are leading causes of vision loss worldwide, with profound impact on patients’ quality of life and healthcare systems. Standard treatment relies on frequent intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF biologics (e.g., aflibercept, ranibizumab), which place a considerable treatment burden on patients and providers. Around 1.5 million people in the UK live with a macular condition, including 700,000 with AMD, a figure expected to more than double by 2040. Poor adherence and undertreatment remain major challenges, limiting clinical outcomes despite availability of effective therapies.
Researchers in the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast, led by Professor Raj Thakur, have been at the forefront of developing next-generation sustained-release ocular drug delivery systems. His team pioneered the EyeLief® and OcuLief® platforms, which are patented photocrosslinked based long-acting drug delivery technologies designed to provide controlled release of biologics and small molecules from 6-12 months from a single administration in the eye.
His research led to the spinout of Re-Vana Therapeutics, with co-founder Professor David Jones, which has raised nearly £18 million in investment via Seed funding, pre-Series A, Series A rounds, grants and established global partnerships, including a multi-programme collaboration deal with Boehringer Ingelheim valued at up to $1 billion.
Re-Vana’s technologies have reshaped the landscape of ocular long-acting drug delivery, positioning Belfast as a global hub for innovation in this sector.
The impact of this work is threefold:
- Clinical and patient impact – By reducing injection frequency, these technologies aim to improve patient adherence, reduce treatment burden, and potentially prevent vision loss in millions of AMD and DR patients worldwide.
- Economic and industrial impact – Re-Vana has created high-value jobs in Northern Ireland, attracted international investment, and advanced QUB’s reputation for translational drug delivery research.
- Knowledge and pipeline impact – The platform has catalysed development of a portfolio of long-acting implants for biologics, biosimilars, and novel therapeutics, broadening industry interest in sustained ocular delivery.
This pioneering research exemplifies how QUB innovation in pharmaceutics translates from bench to bedside, advancing patient care, creating economic value, and fostering international collaborations with leading biopharma companies.