Protecting Vision in Aging Eyes : A Fribourg-Based Therapy for Macular Degeneration

Every year, millions of older adults around the world lose their vision due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that slowly damages the central part of the retina needed for reading, recognizing faces, and maintaining independence. At the moment, effective treatments for the most common dry form of AMD are still lacking.

At the University of Fribourg, we have discovered and patented a new family of active compounds, which demonstrated vision rescue in a mouse model of retinal degeneration and protection in an in vitro AMD model. Based on these very promising results, the idea is now to move this discovery to the next big step: test the activity of these compounds in models that are much closer to the human eye. We will use advanced human cell models and conduct a study in pigs, whose eyes are very similar to ours.

Fribourg is becoming a hub for eye health innovation. The global eye care company Alcon will strengthen its presence in Fribourg, making this an ideal time to invest in homegrown therapies. With your support, we can turn our scientific discovery into a therapy that will help preserve vision and the quality of life for aging individuals across Switzerland and beyond.

The Need

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults over 60 years old, affecting millions worldwide, including many older adults in the Fribourg region. The most common “dry” form of AMD currently lacks effective treatment, making the development of new therapies a critical priority to preserve vision and quality of life in aging populations.

Our Discovery

Our team at the University of Fribourg has patented a new family of neuroprotective compounds that exhibited positive and very promising results in rescuing vision loss and protecting photoreceptors in a validated mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa, a form of retinal degeneration. In addition, we demonstrated that some compounds were effective in protecting retinal pigment epithelial cells, which are the first cells damaged in AMD, in an in vitro model using sodium iodate toxin.

Budget and project duration

The project is planned for a 24-month period with the following timeline:

• Year 1: Screening of derivative compounds in human cell models; generation of new patent data.
• Year 2: Execution of pig model study with CRO; final data analysis; preparation of licensing and outreach to pharmaceutical industry.

We estimate the funding requirement at CHF 290,000 to cover experimental costs, CRO services, and personnel salary for the postdoctoral researcher at 50% FTE.

Why Fribourg? Why Now?

Fribourg is emerging as a growing hub for pharmaceutical innovation, as evidenced by the recent relocation of Alcon to the region. Supporting this project leverages local research excellence, promotes public-private partnerships, and addresses a major health challenge that disproportionately affects the aging population in Switzerland and around the world.

Project Team

The project is led by Prof. Patricia Boya, Faculty of Science and Medicine, with over 20 years of experience in neurobiology and translational research. Our research on neuroprotective compounds for retinal diseases has received positive coverage in local media, highlighting the relevance and societal impact of our work. Articles have appeared in La Liberté and other regional outlets, helping raise awareness about AMD and the importance of vision research in the Fribourg region.

“A high-impact investment: saving sight for millions and fueling economic growth locally “