New Research Unveils Promising Novel Treatment for Dry Eye Disease

The University of Manchester, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Link Biologics Limited have announced promising preclinical findings on the treatment of Dry Eye Disease using a novel protein biological therapy, Link_TSG6.

The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Ocular Surface.

DED is the most common ocular surface disease, impacting roughly 350 million individuals globally and causing persistent eye irritation, impaired vision, pain, and a lower quality of life.

DED was characterized by the loss of homeostasis of the eye's tear film, as well as a vicious cycle of corneal epithelial destruction and inflammation.

The newly-published study evaluated Link_TSG6 in two validated mouse models of DED: an autoimmune model where NOD.B10.H2 mice spontaneously develop dry eye disease, and the desiccating stress model that mimics DED caused by environmental factors.

The study found that topically administered Link TSG6 (for example, twice a day for 7 days) reduced corneal epithelial defects and suppressed inflammatory markers while increasing tear production and conjunctival goblet cell density.

At the highest Link_TSG6 dose, no corneal lesions remained in approximately 50% of treated eyes.

Plus, Link TSG6 was found to be much more effective than Restasisâ, the leading treatment, in lowering corneal epithelial erosions and inflammation.

“There is a desperate need for treatments that rapidly and significantly improve the signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease,” said Dr Joo Youn Oh from Seoul National University College of Medicine, a corresponding author of the paper.

“The present findings support the viability of Link_TSG6 as a promising drug candidate that both suppresses inflammation and promotes repair of the cornea – critical steps in overcoming the pathophysiology of Dry Eye Disease."

"Link_TSG6 is a biological drug that harnesses the protective effects of TSG-6, a protein that is made in our bodies in response to inflammation and injury. It is extremely rewarding to obtain such compelling preclinical data with our novel treatment approach for dry eye disease,” said Professor Tony Day.

The study showed that Link_TSG6 suppresses the levels of inflammatory cytokines on the ocular surface and inhibits the infiltration of Th1 and Th17 immune cells into the lacrimal glands and lymph nodes, indicative of the protein's multiple anti-inflammatory effects.

The researchers discovered that Link_TSG6 reduces inflammatory cytokines on the ocular surface and prevents Th1 and Th17 immune cells from infiltrating the lacrimal glands and lymph nodes, indicative of the protein's multiple anti-inflammatory properties.

"Link_TSG6 is a biological drug that harnesses the protective effects of TSG-6, a protein that is made in our bodies in response to inflammation and injury.  It is extremely rewarding to obtain such compelling preclinical data with our novel treatment approach for Dry Eye Disease. We hope to further progress this work by advancing Link_TSG6 towards human clinical trials,” said Professor Tony Day, a co-corresponding author, from the Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester.

Caroline Milner, a Founder of Link Biologics, said: “The publishing of this research is a major accomplishment in our journey towards finding an effective treatment for Dry Eye Disease, which could improve the lives of millions around the world.  The team is working diligently to build on these findings and secure additional funding to reach our next milestone."

The full paper "The Link module of human TSG-6 (Link_TSG6) promotes wound healing, suppresses inflammation and improves glandular function in mouse models of Dry Eye Disease" is available here.