SERI-IMCB Programme In Retinal Angiogenic Diseases

Overview

SIPRAD is Singapore’s strategic response to the unmet medical needs of the global population suffering vision loss due to retinal angiogenic diseases (RAD). Retinal angiogenic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) represent the leading causes of vision impairment in developed countries.

Our Vision

To develop an industry standard platform in retinal angiogenic diseases that leverages SERI & IMCB’s complementary expertise in clinical and pre-clinical science, with an aim to identify and validate novel biomarkers and targets, and evaluate potential anti-angiogenic therapeutics in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry.

Aims

To conduct clinical studies in order to identify new biomarkers and targets underlying RAD
To investigate a portfolio of 10-20 previously identified targets, and to validate their roles in RAD; to establish new relevant RAD animal models based on the most promising new targets
To collaborate with industry in drug repurposing for RAD

SIPRAD Capabilties Overview

SIPRAD'S Assay and Model Capabilities
In Vitro Cell-Based Assays	Proliferation assay Transwell migration assay Matrigel assay Spheroid based angiogenesis assay HUVEC/fibroblast co-culture assay Primary vascular co-culture assay
Ex Vivo Organotypic Culture	Metatarsal assay Aortic ring assay Choroid sprouting assay
Zebrafish Models	Hypoxia-induced retinopathy Hyperglycaemia-induced retinopathy
Rodent Models of RAD	Corneal Pocket Assay (Corneal Angiogenesis) Alkali burn (Corneal Neovascularization) Laser-induced Choroidal Neovascularization (wet AMD) STZ-induced diabetic rodent model (DR) Rodent Oxymeg-Induced Retinopathy (DR)
Transgenic Mouse Models of DR	Ins2 (Akita) Kimba Akimba VLDLR ko
Preclinical RAD Models	Pig laser-induced CNV model Non-human primate laser-induced CNV model Rabbit persistent neovascularization model
State of the Art Proteomics and Bioinformatics
Medicinal Chemistry

Clinical Competencies & Expertise

Large, well characterized population-based studies with cohorts of AMD and DR subjects with biosamples are available
Prospective data from this existing clinical cohorts would fast track clinical development
Ability to rapidly execute clinical recruitment and trials with an established & experienced clinical research team
Extensive relationships with local & overseas institutions enabling multicentre efforts
The Genetics of AMD is Asians (GAMA) consortium with 6,300 nAMD cases and 16,000 controls from around Asia
Clinical, Imaging and blood biomarkers can be used to identify potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets

Pre-clinical Competencies & Expertise

State-of-the-art animal facility with small and large animal models for retinal diseases

Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)

Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (dAMD)

Diabetic Retinopathy

Venous Occlusion & Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Type I diabete

Type II diabetes

World Class Retinal Imaging and Ocular Grading Centre

Industry Alignment & Engagement

Leverage and align SERI & IMCB expertise to create a unique, “Target to Clinic” platform

Clinical expertise and access (data, samples, cohorts)
State of the art animal facility aligns preclinical and clinical readouts
Integration of target/biomarker identification, pathway analysis and pre-clinical animal models for drug repurposing and MoA

Establish industry alignment

Adopt industry standards (timelines, milestones, deliverables)
Focus on communication
Culture of urgency
Hires with industry experience

Members

SERI	IMCB
Assoc Prof Gemmy Cheung (PI) Prof Wong Tien Yin Dr Gavin Tan Prof Cheng Ching-Yu Dr Amutha Barathi Veluchamy Assoc Prof Yasuo Yanagi Dr Zhou Lei Dr Srivani Sistla	Professor Hong Wanjin (PI) Professor Walter Hunziker Dr Wang Xiaomeng Dr Wang Haishan Dr Jayantha Gunaratne Dr Vladmir Korzh Dr Tom Carney Dr Vinay Tergaonkar Dr Hyungwon Choi