Autoimmune bullous dermatoses encompass a group of rare skin diseases where autoantibodies target anchoring proteins of the skin and/or mucous membranes resulting in immune infiltration, destruction of key anchoring proteins, and blistering. If left untreated, these conditions can become life-threatening due to infections, fluid loss, and malnutrition. Symptoms vary depending on the specific Autoimmune Blister Disease (AIBD) but commonly include blisters, pustules, erosions, excoriations, and redness on the skin and mucous membranes.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common form of autoimmune blistering, accounting for 80% of cases in this category. It typically affects elderly individuals aged between 60 to 80 years old. BP incidence is on the rise due to the aging demographic, improved detection, and increased use of common diabetic, cancer, and psychotropic drugs that are associated with increased risk. In those predisposed to BP, lesions can also be triggered by sunlight or radiation therapy, as well as underlying medical.

Treatment for BP aims to prevent or reduce blistering and alleviate itching, often involving corticosteroid medications. However, corticosteroids are contraindicated for the elderly due to limitations and potentially devastating side effects including increased risk of infection, bone loss, impaired healing and thinning of the skin. BP are also risky for older individuals with existing health conditions.

Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin, commonly characterized by redness, itching, swelling, and sometimes blistering or scaling. It can be caused by a variety of factors including allergic reactions, irritants, infections, or underlying health conditions. Dermatitis can manifest in different forms such as atopic dermatitis.

In the US, atopic dermatitis stands as the most prevalent form of eczema, impacting around 9.6 million children and 16.5 million adults. This condition manifests with a compromised skin barrier, allowing allergens and irritants to infiltrate, thereby triggering immune responses and inflammation. Resultantly, a distinctive red, itchy rash emerges, commonly found on the face, arms, and legs. In severe cases, this rash can spread across substantial portions of the body, affecting up to half or more of the body's surface.

Atopic dermatitis typically initiates in early childhood and persists chronically, often persisting into adolescence and adulthood. The accompanying itchiness is notably distressing and can induce skin damage through scratching or rubbing.

Atopic dermatitis typically initiates in early childhood and persists chronically, often persisting into adolescence and adulthood. The accompanying itchiness is notably distressing and can induce skin damage through scratching or rubbing.

In 2020, the United States witness 9.8 million individuals receiving prescription therapy for atopic dermatitis, with 74% of them undergoing topical therapy, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other modalities. Other forms of dermatitis include radiation dermatitis, contact/allergic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema. hand eczema, neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis and nummular eczema.

Chronic pruritus, commonly known as chronic itching, is an uncomfortable sensation that triggers a desire to scratch, impacting both psychological and physical well-being. It is a prevalent symptom in many skin diseases, ranging from mild irritation to unbearable discomfort. Itching can be continuous or intermittent and may affect localized areas or the entire body. viDA is developing a topically delivered granzyme inhibitor to treat chronic itch.

Skin conditions commonly associated with itching include dermatitis, eczema, bullous pemphigoid, psoriasis, urticaria, neurodermatitis, xerosis (skin dryness) and many other indications. Additionally, pruritus can arise from systemic diseases such as inflammatory disorders, metabolic conditions, infections, neurological conditions, psychiatric disorders and cancer.

In older adults, pruritus is often categorized as idiopathic chronic pruritus when it persists in individuals over the age of 65, with or without visible skin changes. Studies indicate that a significant proportion of elderly individuals, ranging from 11% to 78%, experience pruritus. The exact cause of pruritus in older adults remains unclear, but potential factors include dry skin, dermatological conditions and systemic disorders.

Regardless of its origin, chronic itching can profoundly impact an individual's quality of life. It can lead to persistent discomfort, disrupt sleep patterns, and contribute to clinical depression. In fact, the detrimental effects of chronic pruritus on quality of life are comparable to those of chronic pain, prompting many sufferers to prioritize relief from itching over an extended lifespan.

Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) (aka Fuchs’ Dystrophy) is a condition that affects the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. It occurs when cells in the corneal endothelium, responsible for removing fluid from the cornea to maintain its clarity, gradually die off. This leads to fluid accumulation, causing the cornea to swell and appear puffy, resulting in cloudy or hazy vision.

FECD progresses through two stages. In the early stage, vision may be hazy, particularly in the morning. As the disease advances to the second stage, vision remains consistently blurry throughout the day.

Although FECD can develop in people in their 30s and 40s, symptoms may not manifest until age 50 or later. Women are more predisposed to Fuchs' dystrophy, and having a family history increases risk of disease.

While there is currently no cure for FECD, treatment aims to manage vision problems arising from corneal swelling. Initial therapy often involves using sodium-based eye drops to remove excess fluid from the cornea and reduce swelling. In advanced stages of FECD, a corneal transplant may be necessary.

Late-onset FECD is relatively common, affecting approximately 4 percent of individuals over 40 in the United States. On the other hand, the early-onset variant is rare, and its exact prevalence is unknown.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly and presents a complex challenge in healthcare, with an anticipated annual cost projected to reach $30.3 billion worldwide by 2032. This condition is influenced by multiple factors, including aging, genetics, and environmental factors.

There are 2 types of AMD: Wet AMD and Dry AMD. The common form, known as 'dry' or degenerative AMD, accounts for approximately 90% of cases. Dry AMD involves a thinning of the macula with age and the accumulation of a mixture of lipids and proteins referred to as drusen. People with dry AMD exhibit increased drusen deposits, pigment abnormalities or geographic atrophy (loss of retinal cells). AMD is associated with slower vision loss. The 'wet' or proliferative form of AMD affects approximately 10% of patients but is more serious. Wet AMD is characterized by new, abnormal, blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) under the retina. These leaky vessels may cause scarring of the macula. Vision loss is more rapid with wet AMD.

The current standard treatment for wet AMD involves biologic drugs such as Lucentis, Avastin, and Eylea, which target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key factor that promotes choroidal angiogenesis (also known as choroidal neovascularization). However, these drugs are expensive and require frequent intravitreal injections and come with significant limitations.