Fovea’s in-house science capabilities are designed around an innovative proprietary discovery platform that is being used to identify new protein factors and small molecular entities that play a key role in protecting retinal cells from degeneration.

We believe that this platform is unique as (i) it is fully dedicated to ophthalmology and especially the retina, (ii) it starts from the identification in the clinics of a key event leading to vision impairment and (iii) it has been validated through the discovery by Pr José-Alain Sahel and his team of a novel protective factor, RdCVF, which has received strong attention and raised significant interest in the field (Nature Genetics, 2004), (iv) this platform functions in a fully integrated pattern with the research platforms at the Vision Institute. Additional new targets have already been identified by Fovea using this technology platform.

A first Research Collaboration Agreement has been established with Genzyme (GENZ) in November 2007 (renewed in January 2009) to leverage the platform and co-develop new therapies based on Fovea’s selected targets and Genzyme’s delivery technologies.

In addition, Fovea has extended this drug discovery effort into a pan-retina pharmacology platform, allowing to rapidly test tool molecules from early observations in retinal cell cultures to proof of concept in retina explants as well as in relevant animal models. This pharmacology platform has been validated through the identification of a clinical candidate for the treatment of diabetic retinopathies and can be developed to evaluate and reprofile a number of other molecules.