Co-developed with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the novel photodynamic therapy has shown rapid infection resolution across a variety of disease subtypes.
Ophthalmologists and physicians facing increasing antibiotic resistance and mounting challenges in combating infectious keratitis may be about to see the light, so to speak.
VisiRose (Knoxville, Tennessee, USA), a newly launched, clinical-stage biotechnology company, has introduced its Rose Bengal Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy (RB PDAT), an investigational non-invasive photodynamic treatment for infectious keratitis—and potentially other serious eye infections.
The company is a collaboration between Provectus Biopharmaceuticals and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where the drug was developed.
“RB PDAT is a revolutionary, non-invasive treatment showing remarkable promise for patients with severe infectious keratitis. This innovative therapy harnesses the power of light to combat infection and offers new hope for preserving vision,” said Dr. Jean-Marie Parel, director and co-founder of the Ophthalmic Biophysics Center at BPEI.
RB PDAT has demonstrated rapid infection resolution and improved patient outcomes in clinical trials involving over 500 patients across the U.S., India, Brazil, and Mexico. The therapy has also shown efficacy in non-responsive patients and multiple subtypes and strains of pathogens, including fungal, bacterial, and acanthamoeba keratitis.
Potential worldwide impact
RB PDAT combines Provectus Biopharmaceuticals’ pharmaceutical-grade bioactive Rose Bengal Sodium (RBS) with BPEI’s light-based medical device to create a broad-spectrum treatment for bacterial, fungal, and parasitic eye infections.
This combination offers a solution to the growing challenge of AMR, which has left many patients without effective treatment options. The therapy aims to provide a safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternative for combating severe eye infections in cases where traditional treatments don’t work.
Dominic Rodrigues, acting CEO of VisiRose, commented on the potential impact of the therapy in saving sight worldwide.
“RB PDAT offers a beacon of hope for patients facing the threat of vision loss from infectious keratitis,” he said. “This innovative therapy, with its targeted action and dual benefits, represents a significant advancement in eye care, paving the way for a brighter future for those struggling with this challenging condition.”
According to Dr. Guillermo Amescua, a professor of clinical ophthalmology and medical director of the Ocular Microbiology Laboratory at BPEI, the collaborative effort between industry and academia that VisiRose represents is key in bringing this therapy to a global market.
“VisiRose is crucial for translating the innovation of RB PDAT from the laboratory to a widely accessible treatment, ultimately benefiting countless patients worldwide,” he said.
