Blocking RUNX1 to Stop Eye Scarring and Cell Changes
This patent describes using methods and substances to stop certain cells in the eye from growing too much or changing their type, which can cause serious eye conditions like scarring.
Original patent title: “RUNX1 inhibition for treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and conditions associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition”
This patent describes using methods and substances to stop certain cells in the eye from growing too much or changing their type, which can cause serious eye conditions like scarring. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes ways to prevent or reduce the unwanted growth or movement of cells in the retina, which is the light-sensing part of the eye. It also aims to stop a process called 'epithelial to mesenchymal transition' (EMT) in eye cells, and potentially cells from other body parts. This involves using specific compositions and formulations to target these cellular activities. For instance, in conditions like proliferative vitreoretinopathy, where scar tissue forms in the eye, this invention could provide a treatment to slow down or stop the cells that cause this scarring from multiplying and spreading.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover treatments for eye conditions that do not involve the RUNX1 protein.
- Does not cover methods that increase, rather than reduce, cell growth or movement.
- Does not cover diagnostic tools for identifying proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
- Does not cover treatments for conditions where epithelial to mesenchymal transition is beneficial.
- Does not cover therapies that do not involve specific compositions or formulations.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever bit is identifying RUNX1 as a specific protein target whose inhibition can prevent or reduce unwanted cell growth and transformation in the eye. This offers a precise molecular approach to tackle complex conditions like proliferative vitreoretinopathy and other diseases driven by epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Future drug candidates for proliferative vitreoretinopathy
Therapeutic eye drops or injections targeting RUNX1
Drugs for fibrotic diseases involving EMT
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a severe complication of retinal detachment surgery, often leading to blindness due to scar tissue formation. Current treatments are often surgical and have limited success. This patent matters because it proposes a new molecular target, RUNX1, for drug development, offering a potential non-surgical or adjunctive therapy to prevent or slow down this devastating condition. It also addresses epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a fundamental process in many diseases beyond the eye, suggesting broader implications for drug discovery.
Filed
July 12, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Pharmaceutical companies and biotech startups focused on ophthalmology and fibrotic diseases are likely exploring similar molecular targets. Academic research institutions also actively investigate RUNX1 pathways in various disease contexts. Companies like Regeneron, Novartis, and Roche, with strong ophthalmology pipelines, might be interested in this area.
Market impact
As a recently granted patent, its market impact is yet to be fully realized. However, if successful, it could lead to the development of a new class of drugs for proliferative vitreoretinopathy, potentially shifting treatment paradigms from surgery-centric approaches to more targeted molecular therapies. It could also open new avenues for treating other conditions driven by epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes ways to prevent or reduce the unwanted growth or movement of cells in the retina, which is the light-sensing part of the eye. It also aims to stop a process called 'epithelial to mesenchymal transition' (EMT) in eye cells, and potentially cells from other body parts. This involves using specific compositions and formulations to target these cellular activities. For instance, in conditions like proliferative vitreoretinopathy, where scar tissue forms in the eye, this invention could provide a treatment to slow down or stop the cells that cause this scarring from multiplying and spreading.
The clever bit
The clever bit is identifying RUNX1 as a specific protein target whose inhibition can prevent or reduce unwanted cell growth and transformation in the eye. This offers a precise molecular approach to tackle complex conditions like proliferative vitreoretinopathy and other diseases driven by epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover treatments for eye conditions that do not involve the RUNX1 protein.
- Does not cover methods that increase, rather than reduce, cell growth or movement.
- Does not cover diagnostic tools for identifying proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
- Does not cover treatments for conditions where epithelial to mesenchymal transition is beneficial.
- Does not cover therapies that do not involve specific compositions or formulations.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$36K – $115K
Midpoint $72K · 16.8 yr remaining · industry ×3.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Blocking RUNX1 to Stop Eye Scarring and Cell Changes (U.S. Patent No. 12,735,707). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735707/runx1-inhibition-for-treatment-of-proliferative-vitreoretinopathy-and
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Blocking RUNX1 to Stop Eye Scarring and Cell Changes cover?
This patent describes using methods and substances to stop certain cells in the eye from growing too much or changing their type, which can cause serious eye conditions like scarring.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a severe complication of retinal detachment surgery, often leading to blindness due to scar tissue formation. Current treatments are often surgical and have limited success. This patent matters because it proposes a new molecular target, RUNX1, for drug development, offering a potential non-surgical or adjunctive therapy to prevent or slow down this devastating condition. It also addresses epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a fundamental process in many diseases beyond the eye, suggesting broader implications for drug discovery.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover treatments for eye conditions that do not involve the RUNX1 protein.
Patent monitoring