Ophthalmology - Merck.com

Mar 08, 2025

We’re developing therapies aimed at protecting, restoring and improving vision for people living with eye diseases. Eyebiotech Limited (EyeBio) is a subsidiary of Merck and has a strong track record of developing groundbreaking therapies.

Our team is dedicated to exploring and advancing new therapeutics for a range of retinal diseases, which remain among the most significant therapeutic challenges in ophthalmology.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a serious retinal condition that poses a risk to vision, potentially leading to blindness and a reduced quality of life if left untreated. DME impacts an estimated 750,000 people in the United States and occurs when damaged blood vessels leak into the retina, resulting in swelling in the macula, the central region of the retina crucial for precise vision necessary for everyday activities. The prevalence of DME is anticipated to rise with the increasing incidence of diabetes.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD), also known as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is an advanced form of AMD that affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. It is estimated that between 1 and 2 million people in the U.S. are living with NVAMD, which can impact everyday vision. This serious condition occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop beneath the retina, leaking blood or fluid into the macula, leading to rapid and severe vision loss if left untreated.

Advances in research are revealing new opportunities to translate science into solutions that serve patients with retinal diseases who have urgent and unaddressed medical needs. Our team is working to develop ophthalmology therapies by advancing research aimed at redefining the treatment of retinal diseases to help patients worldwide.

Breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier and subsequent vascular leakage are hallmark features of retinal vascular diseases, such as DME and NVAMD, which result in vision loss. Vascular leakage is a modifiable feature of these diseases. Our scientists are exploring targets such as the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway as research suggests it may help reduce vascular leakage and restore the integrity of the blood-retinal barrier.

Explore our pipeline

We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We’re at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.