Regenerative Therapy to Heal Diseases of the Retina

Noregen™ (CTR-107) is a synthetic protein modeled after norrin, a naturally occurring protein that guides retinal formation in fetal development. It targets the progressive loss of the tiny capillary vessels and promotes their organized re-growth. The ultimate promise is to reverse vision loss in diseases affecting retinal and choroidal blood vessels.

 

Norrin performs these functions in the body:

  • Promotes development of continuous (non-fenestrated) blood vessels
  • Creates blood-retinal-barrier (BRB)
  • Inhibits vascular leakage via transcytosis (pinocytosis)
  • Promotes neurogenesis via the neurovascular unit

 

We’ve found that Noregen™ (CTR-107) functions similarly. In mouse models it:

  • Rescues capillary growth. Norrin regrows retinal vessels with a single intravitreal injection.
  • In vivo protects from VEGF insult. Noregen™ (CTR-107) treated eyes have reduced leakage and improved vascularization following VEGF insult
  • Activates progenitor stem cells and stimulates both vascular and neuronal growth in appropriate areas. Healthy capillary growth requires neural pathways to guide capillary development.
  • Promotes glial cell growth that is needed for angiogenesis and neurogenesis.
  • Protects and activates resident progenitor cells in the retina following injury.

 

Noregen™ (CTR-107) is a unique, novel regenerative, retinal therapeutic that is derived from an endogenous human protein and is backed by solid in vitro and in vivo science. Noregen™ (CTR-107) addresses an urgent unmet need in patients with inherited or acquired retinal diseases. There is also exciting potential for expansion of Noregen’s™ (CTR-107) therapeutic range beyond retinal diseases.

 

On January 27, 2022 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for Noregen (CTR-107), the first potential regenerative therapy for the treatment of Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) associated vision loss. Read the press release here.

 

For more information about Noregen™ (CTR-107) or our science email us at [email protected] 

OUR SCIENCE

As a company dedicated to pursuit of regenerative medicine approaches for sensory-related diseases, Caeregen Therapeutics applies leading-edge science and technologies to the discovery and development of novel therapies to repair, restore, and protect diseased or damaged sensory and neurologic structures.