Biopharma | Ophthalmology Innovation Source

Monoclonal Antibody Company XOMA Corp. Shares New Strategy

Monoclonal antibody company Xoma Corp. shared its new strategy of developing an internal pipeline of potential therapeutics. The company’s lead molecule is gevokizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed at the interleukin-1 beta, an important cytokine involved in multiple diseases where inflammation is a key component. Paul Rubin, MD, Senior Vice President, Research and Development and CMO,…

Novaliq GmbH Using Semifluorinated Alkanes To Improve Solubility Of Topical Agents

Novaliq GmbH is using semifluorinated alkanes to improve solubility of topical agents like cyclosporin and latanoprost on the ocular surface, according to CEO Bernhard Günther. CyclASol and TacroSol compounds, which are ready for Phase II studies, pair with cyclosporine for dry eye and tacrolimus for uveitis, respectively, said Günther. Novaliq also has in development other…

Mobius Therapeutics Investigates Extending Mitosol Platform

Ed Timm, President and CEO of Mobius Therapeutics LLC, provided an update on the investigations into extending the company’s Mitosol platform, presently used to administer mitomycin-C in ab externo glaucoma surgery. Mitosol avoids the issues of sterility and stability of mitomycin-C made in compounding pharmacies. Mobius is investigating the use of the platform in refractive…

GrayBug With Preclinical Work On Microparticle Anti-VEGF Compound GB-102

GrayBug LLC is conducting preclinical work on its microparticle anti-VEGF compound GB-102, an extended-release injectable for wet AMD. The platform encapsulates the active drug ingredient in microparticles that degrade over time once injected into the eye to gradually release the agent. In mouse studies, GB-102 has been shown to prolong suppression of choroidal neovascularization 4.5…

Ocular Therapeutix

Amarpreet Sawhney, PhD, President and CEO of Ocular Therapeutix shared his company’s vision: to transform the treatment of eye diseases with sustained release therapeutics. Ocular’s ReSure Sealant, the first and only FDA approved ophthalmic sealant of its kind, is a synthetic, polyethylene glycol hydrogel used to seal corneal incisions following cataract surgery. The company’s most…

Allysta Pharmaceuticals Developing Multi-Kinase Inhibitor To Treat Glaucoma

Aly1337 is a novel, small-molecule multi-kinase inhibitor that Allysta Pharmaceuticals Inc. is developing to treat glaucoma, said Henry Hsu, MD, Founder and CEO. Kinase, particularly Roh kinase, plays a key role in preventing aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork, thus contributing to increasing intraocular pressure. Among the kinases Aly1337 targets is kinase LRRK2, which, according…

Aerie Pharmaceuticals With Two ROCK Inhibitors In Development

Publicly traded Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc. has two Rho kinase inhibitors, or ROCK inhibitors, in development, CEO Vicente Anido, Jr, PhD, reported Rhopressa which is in phase III studies, and Roclatan, a Rhopressa-latanoprost combination that is entering a Phase III trail. ROCK inhibitors have been known to improve aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork and, possibly, improve…

ONL Therapeutics Develops Novel Mechanism To Attack Fas Receptor Apoptosis

ONL Therapeutics Inc. is developing Met12, a small peptide inhibitor that uses a novel mechanism to attack Fas receptor apoptosis, which has a key role in retinal detachment and AMD, CEO John Freshley reported. The drug targets the pathway activated in Fas-mediated apoptosis, Freshley said. Fas is an antigen encoded to the tumor necrosis factor…

Kala Pharmaceuticals Offers Glimpse Into Preclinical Pipeline

Kala Pharmaceutical Inc. is moving its proprietary Lotoprednol Etaobnate Mucus Penetrating Particle (LE-MPP) platform through a host of trials, Interim President and CBO Charlie McDermott reported. Animal investigations showed that LE-MPP retained approximately 10 times the concentration of the agent on the ocular surface at one hour than either lotoprednol etabonate nanoparticle or suspension alone,…

Panoptes Developing Inhibitor For Local Treatments In Ocular Disease

Panoptes Pharma GmhB is developing PP-001, a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor for local treatments in ocular disease, Co-Founder and CEO Franz Obermayr, PhD, told the OIS gathering. Preclinical investigation is focusing on use for intravitreal and oral administration for posterior uveitis, but Panoptes is also researching topical applications for anterior uveitis, dry eye and viral…

Dirk Sauer Oversees Novartis’ Promising & Productive Ophthalmic Pipeline

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 011″] As Global Head of Development Franchise Ophthalmics at Novartis, Dirk Sauer has overseen the development of Novartis’ blockbuster Lucentis. Now, his focus is on the pharmaceutical giant’s pipeline of retina compounds, including many in the early stages. Hear how Sauer views innovation, both inside and outside of Novartis. Podcast Guest…

How Do You Talk to an Angel?

Ophthalmic Surgeon, Eric D. Kanter, MD, of Retina-Vitreous Consultants, balances his work at his busy New Jersey practice with his commitments as a principal member of Mid Atlantic Bio Angels. Members of MABA invest between $250,000 to $500,000 in life science start-ups of all types. Submissions for review have included ophthalmic drug, various types of…