MRNA THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF OCULAR DISEASES

1 . A method of ocular delivery of messenger RNA (mRNA), comprising administering into an eye of a subject in need of delivery a composition comprising an mRNA encoding a protein, such that the administration of the composition results in expression and/or activity of the protein encoded by the mRNA in the eye.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mRNA is administered into the eye of the subject via intravitreal, intracameral, subconjunctival, subtenon, retrobulbar, topical, and/or posterior juxtascleral administration.

3 . (canceled)

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expression and/or activity of the protein is detected in corneal cells, scleral cells, choroid plexus epithelial cells, ciliary body cells, retinal cells, and/or vitreous humour.

5 .- 7 . (canceled)

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expression and/or activity of the protein is detectable about 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, or 1 month post-administration.

9 .- 10 . (canceled)

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the protein encoded by the mRNA is an antibody or a soluble receptor.

12 . (canceled)

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the antibody encoded by the mRNA is an anti-VEGF antibody, anti-TNFα antibody, anti-IL-6 antibody, anti-ICAM-1 antibody, or anti-VCAM-1, or wherein the soluble receptor encoded by the mRNA is a soluble VEGF receptor.

14 . A method of treating an eye disease, disorder or condition, comprising delivering a composition comprising an mRNA encoding a therapeutic protein using a method according to claim 1 .

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the eye disease, disorder or condition is selected from AMD, PU, BRVO, CRVO, DME, CME, UME, CMV retinitis, endophthalmitis, inflammation, glaucoma, macular degeneration, scleritis, choriotetinitis, Dry eye syndrome, Stargardt disease, Norris disease, Coat's disease, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, Leber congenital amaurosis, Retinitis Pigmentosis, X-linked retinoschesis, Leber's hereditary optic neurophathy (LHON), and/or uveitis.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition is administered once a week, twice a month, or once a month.

17 .- 18 . (canceled)

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mRNA is encapsulated within a lipid based nanoparticle.

20 .- 21 . (canceled)

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises one or more cationic lipids, one or more non-cationic lipids, one or more cholesterol-based lipids and one or more PEG-modified lipids.

23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the one or more cationic lipids are selected from the group consisting of C12-200, MC3, DLinDMA, DLinkC2DMA, cKK-E12, ICE (Imidazole-based), HGT5000, HGT5001, DODAC, DDAB, DMRIE, DOSPA, DOGS, DODAP, DODMA and DMDMA, DODAC, DLenDMA, DMRIE, CLinDMA, CpLinDMA, DMOBA, DOcarbDAP, DLinDAP, DLincarbDAP, DLinCDAP, KLin-K-DMA, DLin-K-XTC2-DMA, HGT4003, and combinations thereof,

wherein the one or more cholesterol-based lipids is cholesterol or PEGylated cholesterol, and wherein the one or more non-cationic lipids are selected from the group consisting of DSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), DPPC (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), DOPE (1,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DOPC (1,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphotidylcholine) DPPE (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DMPE (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DOPG (2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol)) and combinations thereof.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the one or more cationic lipids comprise cKK-E12:

25 .- 30 . (canceled)

31 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises cKK-E12, DSPC, cholesterol, and DMG-PEG2K at a ratio of 40:30:25:5, 50:25:20:5, 50:27:20:3.40:30:20:10, 40:32:20:8.40:32:25:3 or 40:33:25:2.

32 . (canceled)

33 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises C12-200, DOPE, cholesterol, and DMG-PEG2K at a ratio of 50:25:20:5, 50:20:25:5, 50:27:20:3, 40:30:20:10, 40:30:25:5, 40:32:20:8, 40:32:25:3 or 40:33:25:2.

34 . (canceled)

35 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mRNA is encapsulated with a polymer based nanoparticle.

36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the polymer based nanoparticle comprises PEI

37 .- 38 . (canceled)

39 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mRNA comprises one or more modified nucleotides.

40 . (canceled)

41 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mRNA is unmodified.