New research network aims to “provide a lifetime of perfect vision”
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/nserc09.jpg” caption=”Scott Ftizpatrick, a PhD student in the School of Biomedical Engineering at McMaster, examines a gel-like scaffolding that can be injected into the eye for the slow release of medication to treat eye disease. This is one of the research projects underway in the 20/20 NSERC Ophthalmic Materials Network announced today. Photo by Ron Scheffler.”]They may have grown up to the 1970s hit “I Can See Clearly Now” but many members of Canada's ageing population can do anything but.
That's why federal Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear was on campus today announcing funding for a new $6.7-million research network to deal with the increasing vision loss of Canadians. The network of 12 university researchers and 10 industry partners will develop and commercialize new materials and technologies to treat the nearly one-million Canadians suffering from vision loss, a number expected to dramatically increase as Canada's population ages.
The 20/20: NSERC Ophthalmic Materials Network (20/20 Network) was one of nine Strategic Networks announced by the Minister at McMaster today. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is providing $5 million to the 20/20 Network over five years through a Strategic Network Grant. Other funding is being provided by industrial and institutional partners and the Ontario Centres of Excellence over the same period.
“Our government is investing more in science and technology to create jobs, stimulate the economy and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” Minister Goodyear said. “We're investing more in innovation than any government in Canadian history. The research undertaken by these networks will lead to healthier, safer Canadians, a cleaner environment and a stronger economy.”
“Providing Canadians with a lifetime of perfect vision is the ultimate goal of the network,” said Heather Sheardown, scientific director of the 20/20 Network and professor of chemical engineering at McMaster University. “It is rather ambitious but by combining different areas of expertise there is a lot of potential for drastically improving treatment of vision loss.”
The 20/20 Network will focus on developing and commercializing new biomaterials, medical devices, and drug delivery devices for treating vision disorders. Some of the products being pursued include: composite and hybrid materials; ocular microgels, microemulsions and triggerable materials for drug release; a drug delivery system that attaches to the back of the eye to eliminate monthly needle injections; and contact lenses that eliminate end-of-day dryness and discomfort.
Mo Elbestawi, vice-president, research & international affairs noted that “the five McMaster researchers at the heart of the 20/20 Network – Heather Sheardown, Mike Brook (Chemistry), Bob Pelton (Chemical Engineering), Todd Hoare (Chemical Engineering) and Judith West-Mays (Pathology & Molecular Medicine) – exemplify the leadership and collaborative spirit that leads to new discoveries and encourages industry partners to invest in their research talent.”
Industrial partners are: Alimera Sciences, CIBA Vision Corporation, Custom Contact Lenses, Fovea Pharmaceuticals, iCo Therapeutics, Rimon Therapeutics, Siltech Corporation, Take Control Cosmedix, Vista Optics Limited, and Walsh Medical Devices. It is estimated that 30 to 40 post-doctoral fellows, 35 to 45 graduate students and more than 60 summer students will be trained through the network over the five-year funding period.
