Current drug patenting for retinal diseases: beyond VEGF inhibitors

An analysis of patent applications that address strategies for the pharmacological treatment of retinal diseases that are not directly related to VEGF inhibition, published under the PCT during the 18-month period from January 2008 to June 2009, is presented. The largest number of therapeutic patent applications focused on attempts to correct visual cycle dysfunctions, complement overactivation or beta-amyloid deposition in drusen to control age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Biomarker-based and genetic diagnostic modalities that assess AMD risk were also frequently claimed in the patent applications, and have become a significant factor in patenting for ocular disorders. The fields of both visual cycle therapy and AMD biomarkers were dominated by non-corporate patent assignees. Diabetic retinopathy has not received as much attention from inventors compared with AMD; retinopathy of prematurity remains a field in which little specific patenting occurs.