# Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy using Aerosolized Methotrexate

> **NIH NIH R41** · ABBE VISION, INC. · 2020 · $336,954

## Abstract

Project Summary
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a major complication of retinal detachments and is responsible for most
of the failures in retinal reattachment surgeries. About 10% of retinal detachment patients suffer from PVR.
These patients often have poor visual outcome despite multiple surgeries. Our previous work on inhibition of
PVR has focused on pharmacological intervention concurrent with the retinal reattachment surgery. We have
developed an autologous porcine PVR model (APPM) that provides a PVR-affected model eye with anatomical
features comparable to human eye. Further, we ensure that the model is based on retinal injury and dispersion
of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and not exogenous cells or proteolytic intervention as used in prior
research. Our model is closest in pathophysiology to the human disease. For drug delivery, we have
developed a novel intraocular aerosol generator (IAG), which generates a fine mist of drug solution at the tip of
a needle. IAG allows dispersing microgram quantities of therapeutic agents on the retina in a gas-filled
vitrectomized eye, which is often the post-operative state of the eye in retinal reattachment surgeries.
In recent years, methotrexate has emerged as a promising agent for the treatment of PVR due to its potential
to block several PVR mechanisms simultaneously including inflammation, fibrosis and neoplastic cell
proliferation. However, it has not been accepted in the clinical practice due to the lack of an effective delivery
method. The present proposal is aimed at developing aerosolized methotrexate delivery as a treatment for
PVR utilizing IAG in APPM for preclinical evaluation. In this Phase I project, we will conduct in-vitro evaluations
followed by a pilot in-vivo study to examine the therapeutic effect of one, two and three weekly treatments with
methotrexate. This work will also spur development of a general-purpose aerosolized intraocular drug delivery
platform, which would be available for treating various eye conditions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10008072
- **Project number:** 1R41EY030819-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** ABBE VISION, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** AMIR A NAQWI
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $336,954
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10008072

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10008072, Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy using Aerosolized Methotrexate (1R41EY030819-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10008072. Licensed CC0.

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