In Brief

  • Challenge: UN SDG 3 Challenge
  • Challenge Type: SFI Future Innovator Prize
  • Status: Active

The Challenge

Preventing vision loss due to retinal diseases 

The Solution

Fís is a new and unconventional treatment option and consists of an injectable formulation that acts quickly to treat the oedema in the eye, saving permanent loss of vision associated with diabetic retinopathy. Fís will provide a treatment option to the clinician that has a much lower treatment burden and a unique mechanism of action that treats the root symptom causing vision loss, to improve patient outcomes over current standard of care. 

UN SDG Alignment

3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.  

3.b Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all.  

The Team

  • Team Lead: Dr Cormac Flynn, University of Galway
  • Partner Country Team Lead: Dr Daemon McClunan, University of Cape Town
  • Team Co-Lead: Dr Joanne O'Dwyer, University of Galway

Societal Impact Champion

  • Dr Michael Waldron, University of Galway