Isis Pharmaceuticals’ License Agreement with Bayer for ISIS-FXI Rx Receives Hart-Scott-Rodino Approval

ByConnor Hodde

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ISIS) today announced that its license agreement with Bayer HealthCare (Bayer) to develop and commercialize ISIS-FXIRx has received clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.  After completion of ongoing activities at Isis, Bayer will assume all global clinical development as well as worldwide regulatory and commercialization responsibilities for ISIS-FXIRx.  ISIS-FXIRx is an…

Metformin use associated with reduced risk of developing open-angle glaucoma

ByConnor Hodde

Taking the medication metformin hydrochloride was associated with reduced risk of developing the sight-threatening disease open-angle glaucoma in people with diabetes, according to a study published online by JAMA Ophthalmology. Medications that mimic caloric restriction such as metformin can reduce the risk of some late age-onset disease. It is unknown whether these caloric mimetic drugs…

Amarantus Announces the Presentation of Data Showing MANF”s Positive Effect on Retinal Function at Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting

ByConnor Hodde

Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Inc. announced the presentation of positive preclinical data for MANF (mesencephalic-astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, being held in Denver, CO. The results from preclinical studies demonstrate that MANF preserves the light-sensing function of photoreceptor cells in a genetic model of…

eyecro and NeuMedics announce collaboration to utilize MiDROPS™ technology for the development of NM108

ByConnor Hodde

Oklahoma City, OK, and Seattle, WA; (May 4, 2015) – eyecro LLC and NeuMedics Inc., today announced the formation of a collaboration to facilitate development of NM108, a first-in-class small molecule to treat a number of ophthalmic disorders that lead to blindness, including Diabetic Retinopathy. The collaboration grants NeuMedics full access to the MiDROPS™ formulation…

Kala Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Results from Phase 2 Trial of KPI-121 in Dry Eye Disease

ByConnor Hodde

Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Kala), a developer of innovative ophthalmic products based on its proprietary mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology, today announced positive top-line results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of KPI-121.  KPI-121 achieved statistical significance for the primary sign endpoint of bulbar conjunctival hyperemia, and promising trends were observed for key symptom endpoints. “The achievement of…

Retinitis Pigmentosa: FDA approves first retinal implant for advanced adult RP

ByConnor Hodde

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited disorders characterized by progressive peripheral vision loss and night vision difficulties (nyctalopia) that can lead to central vision loss. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first retinal implant, the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, for adults aged 25 years or older with advanced RP. The…

Tiny Nanoparticles Could Make Big Impact for Cornea Transplants

ByConnor Hodde

There are about 48,000 corneal transplants done each year in the U.S., compared to approximately 16,000 kidney transplants and 2,100 heart transplants 12. Out of the 48,000 corneal transplants done, 10 percent of them end up in rejection, largely due to poor medication compliance.  The nanoparticle loaded with medication could eliminate the need for a…

Retina Protein That May Help Conquer Blindness Discovered

ByConnor Hodde

Research led by Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD, Boyd Professor and Director of the LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence, discovered a protein in the retina that is crucial for vision. The paper reports, for the first time, the key molecular mechanisms leading to visual degeneration and blindness. The research reveals events that may…

Advancing Therapeutic Strategies for Inherited Retinal Degeneration: Recommendations From the Monaciano Symposium

ByConnor Hodde

Over the past 3 decades, global research efforts have unveiled the genetic complexity of the group of rare disorders collectively referred to as retinal dystrophies.  Causative mutations for dozens of retinal dystrophies have now been identified, resulting in the discovery of multiple new genes, biological pathways necessary for photoreceptor cell function, and pathogenetic mechanisms involved…