10105473Protect vision: Development of a novel TrkB modulator as the first neuroprotective glaucoma treatmentClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UK**Pangea Bio** is a **UK-based SME biotech**, advancing the field of drug discovery and development to address the high and growing unmet need in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Pangea is developing proprietary **small-molecule therapeutics with potential** to **prevent vision loss in open-angle glaucoma** (OAG), a disease with high unmet medical need. Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition, characterised by progressive optic nerve damage affecting **~600,000 people in the UK alone**\[1\]. OAG is the most prevalent form: \>70% of cases\[2\]. OAG is caused by dysfunctional eye drainage due to fluid build-up, increasing intraocular pressure (IOP), which leads to optic nerve damage and vision loss\[3\]. Current treatments focus on reducing IOP and slowing vision loss; however, **visual disability and blindness rates remain significant**, with \>1/4 OAG patients progressing to blindness in at least one eye within 10 years\[5\]. Hence, there is a **substantial unmet medical need** for novel therapies that protect against optic nerve damage and vision loss in an IOP-independent manner. Pangea is developing a **first-in-class neuroprotective therapy**, administered as an adjunct therapy to the IOP-lowering standard-of-care. The compound activates the Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), where brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the endogenous ligand\[7\]. BDNF/TrkB signalling is crucial for neuronal plasticity and survival, and is reduced in human glaucoma patients leading to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and optic nerve pathology\[8\]. Preclinically, TrkB activation reduces RGC death and improves visual function\[9-10\]. As such, Pangea's development could significantly enhance available treatment options by **protecting against optic nerve damage**, ultimately reducing vision loss and improving patients' quality-of-life (QOL). Pangea aims to conduct critical **_in vitro_ cellular and _in vivo_ animal proof of concept studies**, including a unique translational biomarker for potential use in subsequent clinical development. This project team is experienced in glaucoma research, drug discovery and development, IP and business development. Following a positive project outcome, Pangea would pursue clinical development. Obtaining funding from Innovate UK would accelerate and de-risk therapeutic development and thus enable **quicker access for OAG patients**. It will further drive the growth of Pangea and our partners (CROs, regulatory/IP advisors), generating **value in the UK** and internationally. Ultimately, we aim to substantially **improve OAG patients' lives** by **reducing sight loss** and reducing the associated clinical and economic burden.