Use of vascular endothelial growth factor to treat photoreceptor cells

Patent Number: 7,223,724

Macular degeneration and various other types of ocular pathology are usually associated with uncontrolled proliferation of blood vessels near the retina. The covering of nerves by new blood vessels usually causes dysfunction of the nerves and in some cases blindness. It is known that the compound VEGF is associated with pathological angiogenesis, and accordingly, the prior art would teach away from using VEGF to treat such ocular disease. The current patent states that specific isoforms of VEGF may actually stimulate stem cells in the eye to proliferate, and thus offer the possibility of photoreceptor regeneration.

The patent covers compositions of matter, specific uses, and methods of administration.

View this patent on the USPTO website.