A scientific team from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is developing an innovative treatment in the form of eye drops that could transform the management of diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.
The project, led by researcher Juan Pablo Robles, is based on vasoinhibin, a natural molecule in the human body capable of halting the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina.
“We designed an innovative drug that can reach the interior of the eye to stop the pathological growth of blood vessels,” explained the scientist from the Institute of Neurobiology (INB), based in Juriquilla, Querétaro.
Currently, available treatments consist of repeated intraocular injections that are costly and, in many cases, insufficient to stop the progression of the disease. The Mexican proposal seeks to offer an accessible, non-invasive, and potentially more effective alternative.
Diabetic retinopathy is a chronic and progressive disease that damages the retina —the light-sensitive tissue— and represents one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults of working age. Its impact is not only medical, but also social and economic, as it affects the quality of life and autonomy of millions of people.
For more than three decades, the Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory at the INB, led by scientist Carmen Clapp, has studied the role of vasoinhibin in the regulation of blood vessels.
Although these are essential for transporting oxygen and nutrients, their uncontrolled growth —known as angiogenesis— is associated with diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and even certain types of cancer.
One of the main challenges was transforming vasoinhibin into a viable drug due to its size and complexity. However, the team determined that its biological activity is concentrated in only three of its 123 amino acids, which made it possible to design a simpler and functional molecule capable of being administered as eye drops.
The new compound not only blocks VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), the central target of current therapies, but also inhibits other angiogenic molecules, which could translate into a more comprehensive treatment.
The most recent findings, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, detail its mechanism of action at the cellular level and received special recognition from the editors for their scientific importance.
The development represents a notable case of translational innovation, turning basic research into a potential clinical solution with global impact. For specialists, this advance not only opens a new therapeutic pathway, but also positions Mexico as an important player in cutting-edge biomedical research.
Although the treatment is still in development stages, its potential could redefine how diabetes-related blindness is prevented, offering a more accessible alternative for millions of patients worldwide.
