New Paradigm for Long-Acting Retinal Drug Delivery: An Unoprostone-Release Device for the Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disorder caused by mutation in numerous different genes, leading to loss of photoreceptors. Currently, there is no approved therapy for the recovery or suppression of the progression of this disease. In this study, we investigated a device offering sustained transscleral delivery of unoprostone isopropyl, which is a potent neuroprotective agent through big potassium channel regulation. The sustained unoprostone-release device is composed of photopolymerized poly(ethyleneglycol) dimetacrylates. It consists of a microfabricated reservoir, drug formulation, and controlled release cover, which were fabricated using three-dimensional-printed molds. In this chapter, we summarize the physicochemical properties, in vivo efficacy and safety of this unoprostone-release device. The goal is to initiate a clinical trial of this device in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.