150dpi_MEC_GRANTSTRATEGY_DIGITAL_01.07.26 - Flipbook - Page 18
Moofields Eye Charity - Grants Strategy
Unlocking funding for eye health research
New and innovative treatments can only
be made available following years of
rigorous research and testing. As part
of our new grants strategy, we are
committed to supporting researchers to
gather the evidence they need to move
early-stage ideas from the laboratory
to clinical practice.
By funding discovery research, we provide
the proof of concept needed to unlock
investment from other funders. This
benefits researchers, who can apply for
larger grants, and patients once treatments
reach clinical trials.
Professor James Bainbridge, chair
of retinal studies at UCL Institute
of Ophthalmology and consultant
ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye
Hospital, has seen first-hand how this
funding approach can transform early
stage research. Our seed funding enabled
his team to gather vital pilot data in gene
therapy for inherited eye diseases, laying
Professor James Bainbridge
the foundations for clinical trials.
Chair of retinal studies at
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
“It’s been critical in enabling us to
get projects started,” said Professor
Bainbridge. “This research is expensive,
and without that initial support, it would
be hard to move forward.”
Our funding is helping to advance
research, accelerating progress that
might have struggled to gain momentum.
Gene therapy is one area of ophthalmic
research that has seen remarkable
progress, particularly in children. It works
by placing healthy copies of missing genes
into the retina to improve children’s
sight. With our early support, Professor
Bainbridge gathered the evidence needed
to apply for larger funding and attract
commercial interest, so treatments could
reach clinical trials.
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The advances in gene therapy, for
example, offer hope for people with
rare inherited conditions and may also
inform treatments for more common eye
conditions.
