In his second lecture, Gadek reviews the molecular mechanism of dry eye syndrome, focusing on the role of inflammation and T-cells in this disorder. By analyzing clinical trial data from other drugs developed to treat dry eye, Gadek and colleagues confirmed the importance of LFA-1 as a possible target. LFA-1 is a surface protein on T-cells that binds to ICAM-1 on antigen presenting cells, T-cells, and epithelial cells and causes inflammation. Gadek and his colleagues developed Lifitegrast, a small molecule that serves as an ICAM-1 mimetic. By binding to LFA-1 on T-cells, Lifitegrast inhibits the binding of ICAM-1 and therefore inhibits the inflammation associated with dry eye syndrome.
View the full talk with additional resources on our website
The Development of Lifitegrast to Treat Dry Eye Syndrome
Tom Gadek goes through all of the steps in financing, developing, testing and producing Lifitegrast, a drug for treating dry eye syndrome. (Talk recorded in June 2016)
- Part 1: The SARcode Story: How to build a biotech companyAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of H. School / Intro Undergrad
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 49:51 - Part 2: Discovery and development of Lifitegrast to treat dry eye syndrome: PharmacologyAudience:
- Educators of H. School / Intro Undergrad
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 30:30 - Part 3: Discovery and development of Lifitegrast: Clinical StudyAudience:
- Educators of H. School / Intro Undergrad
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 38:49