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Acucela Inc.

This article was originally published in Start Up

Executive Summary

Acucela is developing oral compounds that can possibly slow or stop vision loss caused by dry age-related macular degeneration. Its lead candidate is a small-molecule inhibitor of an enzyme called RPE65, known to be involved in the build-up of A2E, a toxic vitamin A by-product that is implicated in AMD.

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Based on a growing understanding of the genetics of age-related macular degeneration and its association with the immune system, Optherion is developing a treatment that it hopes may prevent the disease from progressing into its most serious and debilitating 'wet' form.

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