Anti-Sema3A Antibodies for Retinal Revascularization in Vein Occlusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for retinal vein occlusion, such as anti-VEGF or steroid injections, laser therapy, and surgery, are not reliable, safe, or successful in reversing retinal vein occlusions, leading to potential blindness due to macular edema and pathological neovascularization.

Innovation Solution

Development of anti-Sema3A antibodies or antigen-binding fragments that target semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) to inhibit its vasorepressive effect, promoting vascular regeneration and reducing blood-retinal barrier permeability, thereby treating thrombotic diseases of the retina.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anti-VEGF or steroid injections are used to manage macular edema, then edema management is achieved, but reliable reversal of retinal vein occlusion is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of treatment outcomeVSAvoidavailability of effective treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and targets the specific pathological mechanism (Sema3A-mediated vasorepression) rather than treating general symptoms. By identifying Sema3A as the key molecule responsible for preventing vascular regeneration in RVO, the treatment directly addresses the root cause of the occlusion rather than merely managing edema symptoms, thereby achieving reliable reversal of the disease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the therapeutic parameter from general anti-edema or anti-angiogenic approaches to a specific anti-Sema3A mechanism. This parameter change enables the treatment to promote vascular regeneration specifically in ischemic retinal areas while preventing pathological neovascularization, achieving reliable and selective therapeutic outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If laser therapy or surgery is used for RVO treatment, then some therapeutic intervention is provided, but safe and successful outcomes are not consistently achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of therapeutic interventionVSAvoidsuccess rate of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces anti-Sema3A antibodies as a molecular intermediary that specifically binds to and neutralizes Sema3A. This intermediary approach allows for precise modulation of the pathological process without the invasive nature of laser therapy or surgery, achieving both ease of administration and high reliability through targeted molecular intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If Sema3A is up-regulated in ischemic retina, then vascular regeneration is inhibited, but pathological neovascularization is enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of vascular structureVSAvoidpathological neovascularization

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the pathological effect of Sema3A by using anti-Sema3A antibodies to block its vasorepressive action. Instead of allowing Sema3A to inhibit vascular regeneration and cause pathological neovascularization, the treatment reverses this effect by neutralizing Sema3A, thereby promoting healthy vascular regeneration while preventing harmful neovascularization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If no specific treatment is available for RVO, then current management options exist, but macular edema leading to blindness cannot be reliably prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemacular edema and vision lossVSAvoidprevention of blindness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by targeting Sema3A early in the disease process to prevent the development of macular edema and pathological neovascularization. By neutralizing Sema3A before it can cause severe vascular damage and edema, the treatment preemptively prevents vision loss and blindness, rather than attempting to reverse established damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The anti-Sema3A antibodies enhance revascularization of the retina, prevent pathological neovascularization, and reduce macular edema, offering a promising therapeutic approach for retinal vein occlusions.

Implementation Method 1

anti-Sema3A antibodies or antigen-binding fragments that target semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) to inhibit its vasorepressive effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntibody-antigen binding:

Implementation Method 2

enhance revascularization of the retina, prevent pathological neovascularization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVascular regeneration:

Implementation Method 3

reducing blood-retinal barrier permeability, thereby treating thrombotic diseases of the retina

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeability reduction:

Data Source

PatentUS20260078175A1Anti-sema3a antibodies and their uses for treating a thrombotic disease of the retina

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INT GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to the use of antibodies and antibody that target semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), and fragments thereof, and their use for treating thrombotic diseases of the retina comprising.