ARVO recognizes Daniel R. Saban as a rising star in the world of ophthalmology and visual science
NOTE: Piximune Therapeutics is a start-up based out of the lab of Associate Professor Daniel R. Saban (Ophthalmology, SOM). PIE Magazine has some nice coverage of the award lecture.
SEATTLE, WA, May 8, 2024 – Daniel R. Saban, PhD, founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Piximune Therapeutics, today received the 2024 Cogan Award, presented by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the world’s largest association of eye and vision researchers.
This prestigious award recognizes young researchers already making substantial contributions to the fields of ophthalmology or visual science. Dr. Saban has uncovered the significance of immune cells in adult tissue physiology and disease resilience and is leveraging his findings to develop therapeutics in eye diseases, including retinal degeneration.
Dr. Saban’s research is dedicated to exploring the often-overlooked fact that immune cells play pivotal roles in tissue physiology, including by providing trophic support, facilitation of extracellular matrix turnover, and managing waste removal – all of which contribute to the proper functioning of the retina, conventional outflow tract, and cornea.
This research is the basis behind the formation of Piximune Therapeutics, a spinout of Duke University, which is developing a novel treatment for multiple inherited retinal diseases, as well as for geographic atrophy (GA), the late stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The treatment approach has been demonstrated in mice.
“We are proud that Danny’s scientific contributions have been recognized by such a distinguished research society, and we are excited about the prospects of Piximune turning his foundational discoveries at Duke into therapeutics that have the potential to preserve and restore vision for so many patients,” said Michael Hannan, Chief Executive Officer of Piximune Therapeutics.
Piximune has identified multiple antibodies to target the immune mechanism believed to provide neuroprotection against vision loss using funding from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. The company is currently raising funds to further build its team and support IND-enabling studies.
About Piximune
Piximune Therapeutics was founded in 2023 in Durham, NC and is dedicated to finding therapies to prevent vision loss. Piximune anticipates moving its first program into clinical trials in 2025.
Media Contact
Michael Hannan, CEO
mhannan@piximune.com