Versatile Drug Presents Another Potential Benefit

Many people in the biomedical world may be familiar with the drug sirolimus (also known as rapamycin). This versatile drug has an abundance of uses including the prevention of reocclusion in arteries after balloon angioplasty. It has also been used as an immunosuppressant after organ transplants to prevent rejection. Modern research suggests that this drug may also be useful as an anti-aging product as demonstrated in a research study done on 20 month old mice (equivalent to 60 year old humans) where sirolimus increased average life-span roughly 30%.

This article discusses the research into a new use for sirolimus. It's hard to believe that they could possibly think of another way to use this "miracle" drug, but they've found a use. Santen and MacuSight (two pharmaceutical companies) are working in coordination to develop sirolimus as an effective treatment for macular degeneration. The loss of eye-sight is a major problem for humans as they age. Entire industries are built around eye-sight degeneration (including optometry and lasik surgery). These companies have promising research studies that indicate that sirolimus has a positive impact on the degeneration of the macular region of the eye. More studies are underway, and they hope to have a viable product ready for the markets shortly.

http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology-technology-1/Santen-and-MacuSight-Announce-Collaboration-and-License-Agreement-for-Sirolimus-in-Ocular-Diseases-and-Conditions-5727-1/