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8 SPIN-OUT OPTICIN LTD SET UP TO TREAT EYE CONDITIONS IN ADULTS WITH DIABETIC EYE DISEASE AND PREMATURE BABIES UMIC ® UMIP ® UMI 3 Professor Paul Bishop, at the Centre for Hearing and Vision Research in the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences and Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, has discovered a human protein molecule that prevents blood vessel formation in the eye. Paul and his colleagues found that the protein had potent anti-angiogenic properties and could be developed into a therapeutic drug that could complement existing therapies in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a sight- threatening condition that affects 93 million people worldwide and in retinopathy of prematurity (RoP), affecting premature babies. He explained how UMIP's Business Development Portfolio Manager, Dr Sunita Jones, has helped to support the development of this novel technology through setting up a spin-out company: "We came to UMIP in 2004 and UMIP helped us to file the patent to protect the use of opticin as an anti-angiogenic agent in the ophthalmology and oncology fields. We also received Proof-of- Principle funding which allowed us to develop our research. UMIP's support in helping us to take this from a research finding to a potentially viable commercial and clinical success has been invaluable. " The technology was reviewed by an Experts Panel at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC) facilitated by CEO Dr Martino Picardo and subsequently the development of Opticin was recommended via a spin-out. The company was incorporated in 2014. Paul added: "The SBC input directed us towards a focus on Ophthalmology indications, especially proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a major cause of blindness in diabetes. Further input from a venture capital fund turned us to an orphan indication, RoP an eye condition in which blood vessels can grow from the retina into the vitreous humor, a condition which affects premature infants. We are now concentrating on these two core applications for Opticin." Current treatments for both conditions involve laser treatment to the retina which can result in scarring and visual loss. It is anticipated that injecting Opticin into the eye will be far less invasive with minimal side effects and increased efficacy. Opticin Ltd is now seeking funding to enable the undertaking of clinical trials and further business development activity. Opticin model LATEST UMIP SPIN-OUT NEWS