Breye Therapeutics Publishes Study on Oral Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
News related to:Breye Therapeutics · 1 min read
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Sept. 23, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Breye Therapeutics has announced the publication of a paper in the prestigious journal Science Translational Medicine, detailing the potential of its oral danegaptide treatment for Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR). The study, led by Professor Matthew Campbell of Trinity College Dublin, suggests that danegaptide could represent a significant shift in the approach to treating this condition.
According to the press release, danegaptide is a first-in-class oral small molecule that stabilizes the retinal vasculature, protecting against retinal capillary breakdown and vascular leakage caused by chronically high glucose levels (hyperglycemia). The dual approach of danegaptide, which both protects the inner blood-retina barrier (iBRB) and dampens VEGF-associated activity, is seen as a promising method for earlier, non-invasive treatment of NPDR.
The authors of the study argue that this treatment could translate into improved outcomes for patients.
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults and today affects about 130 million people worldwide. Incidence is growing rapidly, making the need for effective and patient-friendly treatments more urgent. Currently, standard-of-care anti-VEGF treatments are effective at arresting the progression of "severe" NPDR and reducing the risk of associated vision loss. However, most patients are only offered these treatments after vision loss has occurred, and the invasive nature of the treatments can be burdensome, affecting patient compliance.
Breye Therapeutics is now planning a Phase II proof-of-concept trial of danegaptide in a targeted NPDR population, due to start in 2027. The company believes that an oral, non-invasive treatment solution would be complementary to existing therapies, enabling more patients to be helped around the world.
The publication of the paper comes as Breye Therapeutics continues to advance its clinical development of danegaptide. The company is backed by Novo Holdings and Sound BioVentures, and has received financial support from the BioInnovation Institute, the Danish Growth Foundation (Vækstfonden), and the Danish Innovation Foundation (Innovationsfonden).