RE:RE:market is asleep
iCo Therapeutics to hold pre-IND meeting June 21
2017-06-15 16:24 ET - News Release
Mr. Andrew Rae reports
ICO THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCES PRE IND MEETING FOR NOVEL GLAUCOMA ASSET
iCo Therapeutics Inc. will hold a pre-IND (investigational new drug) meeting with the division of transplantation and ophthalmology, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on June 21, 2017.
- Discussions will focus on a proprietary dual-action glaucoma asset with a novel mechanism of action that reduces intraocular pressure (IOP). The target is validated by literature, and a preclinical proof of concept in several animal models confirms efficacy in reducing IOP. It has possible neuroprotective activity and the potential for novel and more effective combinations with prostaglandin analogues.
- To date, 29 patents have been issued.
- The asset addresses a market that is estimated to grow to $5-billion by 2018.
- The purpose of the FDA Type B pre-IND meeting will be to discuss questions related to the program development for SVT-63 or SVT-88 as topical ophthalmic solutions for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension, including study designs in monotherapy and combination clinical trials, as well as acceptable visual function end points for exploration of potential neuroprotective properties of the two compounds.
- In a previous study, patients administered an inhibitor 11B-HSD, mediated via 11B-HSD1 in the ciliary epithelium, lowered IOP in patients with ocular hypertension.
- iCo Therapeutics has the worldwide exclusive option to acquire the asset outright, with diligence activities during the option period focusing on commercialization of the asset.
Andrew Rae, chief executive officer of iCo Therapeutics, stated, "We are excited to have arrived at this inflection point with our colleagues at Salvat and look forward to important guidance regarding a clinical path forward for a potential first-in-class glaucoma candidate."
About iCo Therapeutics Inc.