Our research project “Preclinical development of new drugs for the treatment of glaucoma and other vascular diseases” is supported by the Central Development Agency of the Free State of Saxony (Sächsische Aufbaubank - SAB) using EFRD (European Fund for Regional Development) funds.

The project co-funds our preclinical development of therapeutics based on targeting the Angiopoietin-Tie2 signaling pathway. It consists of two research program approaches to develop new therapeutics to efficiently treat vascular diseases with a focus on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), such as COVID-19, glaucoma, acute kidney disease and other vascular related diseases. The first approach is a pharmaceutical research program based on developing novel small molecule compounds. The second approach, being followed in parallel, is a research program starting with a biologic based on recombinant fusion proteins. The two therapeutic approaches use different mechanisms of action to activate the Angiopoietin-Tie2 pathway, and also aim for different routes of administration.

This funding project builds the cornerstone for the establishment of Mannin in Leipzig and thus leads to the creation of numerous jobs, especially in the medicinal chemistry sector. In addition, this project brings us the opportunity to establish German and European entities to bring new therapeutics to the market.