ATG003, Athenagen’s proprietary topical formulation of mecamylamine that has shown efficacy in animal models, is a possible alternative to current therapies for AMD (mostly requiring frequent needle injections directly in the eye).
The said Phase 1 clinical trial is the first human study of an eye drop anti-angiogenic therapy for AMD, with a Phase 2 efficacy study expected to follow early next year.
AMD or age-related macular degeneration is characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, thereby resulting in significant vision loss.
ATG003, a novel anti-angiogenic agent, inhibits endothelial nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors and was previously shown to decrease angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth) as well as vascular permeability –the two well-known hallmarks of neovascular AMD.
Read the full press release."Complementing our promising pre-clinical efficacy studies are robust data demonstrating excellent penetration of the drug to the back of the eye," stated M. (Ken) Kengatharan, Ph.D., co-founder and VP of Pre-clinical R&D at Athenagen.
"Developed by our scientists, this proprietary eye drop formulation of mecamylamine enables delivery of drug to the retina and choroid with very little reaching the systemic blood circulation. The formulation has been well tolerated in preclinical safety models at all doses to be used in human testing."
.jpg)
Comment Preview