MP-101 and MP-201 Glaucoma Exploratory Research Grant Awarded to University of Montreal by BrightFocus Foundation in Collaboration with Mitochon Pharmaceuticals

Mitochon is delighted to expand upon our mitochondrial targeted approach in vision loss with the initial MP201 striking findings in optic neuritis (pre-MS) protecting retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and preventing demyelination of optic nerve (lab of Dr. Kenneth Shindler, MD Scheie Eye Institute, Penn Med). Now we are turning our attention to applications in glaucoma, a devastating loss of vision likely rooted in mitochondrial dysfunction. The BrightFocus Foundation is funding our proposal, “Disease-modifying mitochondrial uncouplers: a new therapeutic strategy for glaucoma”.  We are very fortunate that this two year study will be performed at the laboratory of world renowned glaucoma scientist, Dr. Adriana Di Polo, Ph.D. www.dipololab.ca at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Center. The focus of the study is largely based upon MP101 and MP201’s mechanism of action correcting calcium handling, while upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a powerful survival factor for injured RGCs.