Scientists from NMIMS Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM) have been awarded a patent for their long-acting brimonidine formulation for treating glaucoma.

Announcing the award of the patent,  the University said in a media statement recently that the patent has been awarded a patent for Ocusert, an ocular formulation for the treatment of glaucoma, to Dr Bala Prabhakar along with other inventors.

Pointing out that glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide, with an estimated 79.6 million patients expected to be diagnosed by 2025, the statement added that presently commercially available form of brimonidine for treating glaucoma, available as eye drops that have a short precorneal retention time and often result in poor patient compliance as they need to be administered frequently.

The formulation addresses these issues by providing sustained release of the active drug for a longer duration, it further added.

This development has the potential for commercial applicability and could significantly improve the treatment options available for patients with glaucoma.

Announcing the patent grant, Vice Chancellor of Dr Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor of SVKM's NMIMS, said, “The grant of this patent is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of patients suffering from glaucoma with Ocusert,” he added.
Stating that the formulation has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of glaucoma, Bala Prabhakar, dean of Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, who is one of the scientists to be awarded the patent said, “The sustained release capabilities of this formulation will significantly improve patient compliance and offer a more effective treatment option for a disease that affects millions of people worldwide.”