Sema

SemaThera Inc. has developed SEMA3A for the prevention and reversal of retinal vascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). SEMA3A is a soluble protein that promotes vascular leakage, retinal inflammation, apoptosis, and inhibits angiogenesis. In the early stages of DME, SEMA3A levels are elevated while VEGF levels remain as low as in non-diabetic controls. Its levels are significantly increased in the vitreous of patients with DME, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and exudative age-related macular degeneration. Inhibition of SEMA3A using SemaThera's biotraps has demonstrated robust preclinical efficacy in several disease models.