The 60 million individuals around the world who suffer from glaucoma could one day have a cure for the debilitating eye disease from NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals (ASX: NSB), with the company buoyed by initial results from their preclinical trials. 

The drug development company’s lead product, EmtinB – a therapeutic peptide which has had positive results for neuroregeneration – has returned data demonstrating its ability to penetrate the retina and optic nerve of a rabbit eye with no side effects. 

“This data is the first set of experiments in our ophthalmology program. Having had ten years public company experience in the Ophthalmology space, I am very excited at the enormous potential of a topical eye drop disease-modifying therapy for Glaucoma patients,” said Chairman, Brian Leedman.

The testing was conducted on an anaesthetised rabbit to assess the ability of EmtinB to penetrate the retina and optic nerve with results confirming the peptide’s ability to reach the retinal ganglion axons, retinal neurons and glial cells. 

With glaucoma currently affecting more than 300,000 Australians and 60 million sufferers worldwide, NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals projects the glaucoma pharmaceuticals field to grow to be $5.3 billion per annum worldwide during the next three years.

Caused by problems with drainage of fluid in the eye, disruptions gradually increase pressure within the eye, damaging neurons and neural cells which ultimately leads to a loss of vision. 

At present, current treatment options exist to reduce the onset of vision loss but there is no corrective solution to the disease which NSB hopes to address through EmtinB’s neuroregenerative properties. 

Following successful pre-clinical testing on the rabbit, testing will now commence on pigs which possess a similar optic nerve head structure to humans. 

Shares in NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals surged upon the release of today’s rabbit testing results to a high of $0.35 (+42.8%) in early morning trade having previously closed at $0.245 yesterday.