Project Grant R43EY037617
- The National Eye Institute awarded Kuria Therapeutics, Inc. $306,805 on September 1, 2026, under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to test SCO-116, an NRF2 activator, for efficacy in protecting corneal endothelial cells against oxidative stress in Fuchs' corneal endothelial dystrophy. The award funds Phase 1 research to establish proof of concept using cultured human corneas as a model system. The work comprises two specific aims: testing a range of SCO-116 concentrations for NRF2...
- The National Eye Institute awarded The University of Iowa $641,479 for a Project Grant (R01EY037246) under the Vision Research program on May 1, 2026, to identify molecular signals leading to the onset and progression of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) phenotypes using a mouse model. The research addresses FECD, a blinding disease affecting 4–7% of individuals over 40 with an economic burden of $300 million annually. Corneal transplantation remains the prevalent treatment but...
- The National Eye Institute awarded the University of Oregon $670,232 on August 1, 2026, under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to support research on the molecular mechanisms of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) associated with CUG-trinucleotide repeats in the TCF4 gene. The project develops and employs novel in vivo and in vitro models to determine whether the (CTG)N repeat expansion in intron 2 of the TCF4 gene causes FECD by altering TCF4 expression or through toxic effects...
- The National Eye Institute awarded Kuria Therapeutics, Inc. $799,730 on September 30, 2025, under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to conduct IND-enabling nonclinical studies of KTX-1161, a topical eye drop formulation containing the NRF2 activator SCO-116. The funded work comprises three aims across two phases. Phase I (Aim 1) includes a GLP genotoxicity study package required by FDA for small molecules: the Ames test, in vitro chromosome aberration assay, and in vivo micronucleus test...
- The National Eye Institute awarded the University of Cincinnati Sponsored Research Services $445,500 on June 1, 2026, under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to conduct fate mapping and functional analysis of COL8A2-positive cells in corneal endothelial development and disease. The recipient will generate a tamoxifen-inducible COL8A2P2A-CREERT2 mouse line to enable temporal and tissue-specific labeling and manipulation of COL8A2-positive cells. In Aim 1, the team will use lineage tracing...
- ESK Therapeutics, Inc. received a $330,169 Project Grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI) under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867), effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. The grant supports the development and preclinical validation of CornéaClear, a first-in-class biologic eyedrop therapeutic designed to treat persistent corneal epithelial defects (PCED) resulting from disease or trauma. The project aims to address a significant market gap, as no FDA-approved therapy...
- The National Eye Institute awarded New York University $546,439 on April 15, 2026, under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to develop corneal stromal keratocyte modeling from human cornea organoids as a potential therapy for corneal blindness caused by stromal scarring, infection, and keratoconus. The research focuses on generating human cornea organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells that mimic the fetal cornea and co-differentiate stromal keratocytes, epithelial, and endothelial...
- The National Eye Institute awarded The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth $249,000 on April 15, 2026, under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to investigate mechanisms that inhibit cell death in human corneal stromal cells as a pathway toward non-surgical treatment of keratoconus. The research aims to identify small-molecule compounds that inhibit activated caspase-8 and heparan sulfate compounds that block interactions between tumor necrosis factor-alpha and...
- The National Eye Institute awarded N'waii Inc. $697,600 on September 30, 2025, under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to develop first-in-class mitochondrially targeted antioxidants for dry eye disease treatment. Work will be performed in Chicago, Illinois, with a completion date of September 29, 2027. The project focuses on a proprietary small-molecule lead candidate designed to address oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction underlying meibomian gland dysfunction, a predominant...
- Federal Project Grant Award Summary The National Eye Institute (NEI), under its Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867), awarded The Ohio State University $433,125 on August 1, 2025, to investigate tissue factor (TF) as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for corneal neovascularization (CNV). This two-year project, concluding July 31, 2027, addresses a significant unmet medical need, as CNV—the pathological growth of blood vessels in the cornea—is a common sequela of corneal diseases...
The National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute awarded S5G Therapeutics Inc. $313,373 on August 1, 2026, under the Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to develop a targeted pharmacotherapeutic preventing progression of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). The project aims to validate and determine feasibility of a non-surgical intervention that blocks ferroptosis-mediated death of corneal endothelial cells in FECD patients. Preliminary research conducted by S5G Therapeutics in collaboration with experts at the University of Iowa identified that transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), a cell surface iron influx protein, is overexpressed in corneal endothelial cells of FECD patients and linked to ferroptosis—a pathogenic mechanism characterized by lipid peroxidation and intracellular iron accumulation. Screening of anti-ferroptosis antioxidants identified ubiquinol (the active, reduced form of coenzyme Q10) as the top candidate therapeutic. The award funds this SBIR Phase I project to develop a therapy that is independent of specific gene mutations and prevents disease progression without requiring corneal transplant surgery. Work is performed in Iowa City, Iowa, with a period of performance from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. The assistance type is a Project Grant.
Mod # | Description | ReasonForModification | Federal Obligation | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $313.4k | 8/4/26 |