RD TREAT Program

The aim of the RD TREAT (Retinal Dystrophies Treatment) program is to develop effective treatments for previously incurable hereditary retinal dystrophies. The approach focuses on vision loss caused by disorders in the so-called transduction cycle of the light receptors in the retina. Retinal dystrophies (e.g. retinitis pigmentosa) are caused by inherited genetic mutations. These mutations can lead to the light receptors in the retina no longer functioning properly and dying off over time. As it is a genetic disease, it can run in families.

Together with the Tübingen eye researchers, the Foundation for Medical Innovation has succeeded in raising a considerable sum in the double-digit millions with the aim of jointly developing three novel active substances that have been tested experimentally at the Centre for Ophthalmology in Tübingen for use in patients.

The program comprises three complementary therapeutic approaches: A gene replacement for the treatment of certain forms of retinitis pigmentosa as well as two mutation-independent pharmacological neuroprotective strategies that halt the disease.

A joint project

Together with the SfM, the Centre for Ophthalmology in Tübingen has formed an application-experienced team for the seamless translation from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside. Scientists, doctors and the department’s “Eye and Ear” study center work closely together on site with drug developers, project managers and approval specialists.

In a tightly managed 5-year schedule, the diverse project tasks are coordinated jointly by the Foundation and the Department of Ophthalmology; a careful management and project control framework with short decision-making paths ensures that the set goals are achieved as planned, identifies development risks at an early stage and addresses them.

Eberhart Zrenner, Chairman of the Board of the Stiftung für Medizininnovationen

Centre for Ophthalmology at the University of Tübingen

The Tübingen Centre for Ophthalmology has reached a historic milestone in its mission to delay or even cure hereditary retinal diseases. This was made possible by a scientific cooperation agreement between Tübingen University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine and the Stiftung für Medizininnovationen (SfM). For the Tübingen Institute for Ophthalmic Research and the University Eye Hospital, this means a further expansion of their respective internationally significant roles in the treatment of retinal diseases, in which the Tübingen site already occupies a leading position worldwide.

In the 1990s, systematic efforts began to identify mutations in the genes associated with certain eye diseases. At that time, treatment was a distant dream for the patients concerned. Today, I am seeing this dream become reality – not only for us researchers, but above all for those who now have hope of keeping their sight. That gives us confidence.

Marius Ueffing, Director of the Institute for Ophthalmic Research and speaker of the RD TREAT program

With a few exceptions, hereditary retinal diseases are currently incurable. However, numerous clinical studies worldwide are showing initial successes alongside setbacks. Significant advances in research, to which ophthalmology at the University of Tübingen has made a major contribution over the last three decades, have provided a deeper understanding of the complex biochemical, cellular and neuronal mechanisms of visual perception. These new findings have contributed to a better understanding of the molecular basis of the diseases, whose mutation spectrum comprises more than 300 genes, and to the development of drugs for the targeted treatment of retinal degeneration.

The Tübingen University Eye Hospital is proud to make a decisive contribution to the development of new therapies for hereditary retinal diseases with the RD TREAT program.

Karl Ulrich Bartz-Schmidt, Director of the University Eye Hospital Tübingen

As a clinical retina specialist who was the first in the world to use innovative therapies such as chip implantation under the retina and gene therapy for color blindness in Tübingen, he knows how important it is to break new ground and bring research results into clinical application:

With RD TREAT, we can give patients with previously incurable eye diseases the hope that their vision will be preserved.

Karl Ulrich Bartz-Schmidt, Director of the University Eye Hospital Tübingen

A premiere that was only possible at the Tübingen Centre for Ophthalmology

The Tübingen Centre for Ophthalmology, in which an eye clinic with more than 400 employees and a research institute with more than 160 employees form a highly active unit, has developed into an integrated research and treatment center for ophthalmology with the acquisition of the new building in 2011. RD TREAT shows that the close connection between scientific innovation and clinical care offers special opportunities for new treatment options.

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tübingen is following the RD TREAT program with eager anticipation and is very confident that Marius Ueffing’s team will succeed in bringing effective therapies for patients with retinal diseases into clinical application.

 

Thomas Gasser, Dean of Research for the Faculty of Medicine at the University Tübingen

Rare eye diseases as a pioneering model for personalized diagnostics and therapy

The development of customized molecular therapies for hereditary retinal diseases made possible by RD TREAT may also prove to be groundbreaking for the development of new therapeutic modalities in other disease areas. The RD TREAT program is embedded in the Gene and RNA Therapy Center of the Tübingen Medical Faculty. This provides the opportunity to transfer experience and know-how beyond ophthalmology and thus contribute to the development of molecular therapy in other disease areas.

Contact

Information about the Centre for Ophthalmology

Information about the Stiftung für Medizininnovationen