About

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding condition that affects premature neonates, annually afflicts 14,000 patients in the US and over 50,000 patients in developing countries. Orpheus is committed to bringing the novel VEGF-stabilizing peptide, PR1P, into clinical and beyond. 

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Science
  • Historical treatments for ROP—laser, cryosurgery, and anti-VEGF—are invasive and administered after the onset of retinal pathologies

  • In contrast, PR1P will be administered prophylactically in premature neonates, sparing the retina from the vascular dysfunction that would otherwise lead to ROP

  • While anti-VEGF treatments are administered by injection into the eye, risking additional ocular injury, PR1P is available by intravenous injection. This would considerably reduce the risk of complications in neonates

  • PR1P will be the first of its kind—a VEGF-stabilizing peptide therapeutic—in clinical development, offering a safer option for parents and clinicians
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Pipeline
  • After demonstrating clinical efficacy in ROP, off-label PR1P use will be pursued for larger indications such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). There are 20 million AMD patients and 9.6 million DR patients in the US. Combined, the total market value of these two indications is nearly $20 billion

  • Owing to its unique mechanism of action, PR1P has demonstrated efficacy in ocular and many non-ocular animal models: stroke, myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, wound repair, acute lung injury, and bone/tendon repair, highlighting the breadth of indications for future PR1P clinical development

  • Orpheus is generating new IP around PR1P and related drugs
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