Pharmadrug has announced it is advancing its opthalmology programme with the selection of its lead DMT analogue as a potential treatment for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness across the globe according to the World Health Organization. The condition can cause irreversible vision loss due to fluid build-up, which causes elevated pressure in the eye. This eventually leads to optic nerve damage and vision loss.
Previously, PharmaDrug announced encouraging potency data for two undisclosed tryptamines, which it says could act as a potential therapeutic solution in treating glaucoma. In collaboration with the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), the company has now selected a single lead candidate to take forward.
The company says the DMT-analogue has been selected based on the successful completion of the first phase of research, which demonstrates the candidate’s superiority as it relates to in vitro potency in two predictive bioassays.
Additionally, the analogue shows a favourable toxicity profile as well as physical, chemical, and metabolic properties necessary to fabricate a proprietary medical device capable of conveniently delivering sub-psychedelic levels of drug to the front of the eye over a sustained period.
CSO of PharmaDrug, Paul Van Slyke, commented: “We are excited to announce that in collaboration with TIBI, we have successfully completed the studies necessary to elect the company’s lead drug candidate for the treatment of POAG.
“The next phase of this ongoing collaboration will start shortly and is underlined by the company’s strong commitment to work with outstanding research and development groups from around the world to provide innovative, life-changing medications to patients at risk of vision loss as a consequence of insufficiently treated glaucoma.”
As part of its sponsored research agreement withTIBI, PharmaDrug’ will now undertake mechanism of action studies, optimise medical device drug release characteristics, supporting in vitro host-species justification studies, and an evaluation of drug efficacy in an IND-enabling study of POAG. The goal of the latter will be to provide all necessary support to file an investigative new drug (IND) application with the FDA to conduct clinical studies.
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