Eyeworld Daily News

22 | EYEWORLD DAILY NEWS | APRIL 5, 2024 ASCRS ANNUAL MEETING DAILY NEWS explained that the company is devel- oping a 3-week, twice daily eye drop treatment that regenerates collagen, restores corneal rigidity, and stabiliz- es for refractive correction. The treatment is a transforming growth factor β3 plus dexametha- sone sodium phosphate. She noted that there has been ex vivo research done in human corneas and in vivo in rats. Treated sheep corneas show uniformly layered collagen II fibers with a significant increase in corneal resistance after a 3-week treatment. They have data up to 6 months in animal studies at this point. The company has patents in multiple jurisdictions, and she noted that they have been advised about reimbursement in the U.S. She noted that they will com- plete a proof-of-concept human study this year, and the company is seeking further funding for Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in 2025–2026. Editors' note: The faculty does not receive any form of compensation for The Winning Pitch Challenge. T he Winning Pitch Challenge was back at Eyecelerator, with pitches from three early-stage ophthalmology innovators. Judges and the audience decided who took home cash prizes worth $45,000. The moderators of the ses- sion were Vance Thompson, MD, and John Berdahl, MD. Judges included Adrienne Graves, PhD, Richard Lind- strom, MD, Jim Mazzo, Juliet Bakker, and Robert Warner, MBA. 1st Place: InGel Therapeutics – Pierre Dromel, PhD The aim of this is to bring back light to patients through bioengineered cell therapy, Dr. Dromel said. IGT001 is meant to address the unmet need in retinitis pigmentosa, by repairing and restoring cones for mid-stage retinitis pigmentosa. IGT001 is a rod- based secretome and competes with a limited number of technologies in mid-stage retinitis pigmentosa, he said. The target product profile differentiates from other competing products in three ways: 1. Visual recovery, beyond just pre- vention of loss (preclinical studies demonstrate potential to restore cone function; the focus is on mid-stage patients with the highest unmet needs and potentially short- er clinical trial) 2. Broader patient population and clinically feasible (mutation agnostic, no need for immunosup- pressant, simple office procedure, potential to redose, and potential to be used as adjuvant to gene therapy) 3. Strong candidate as a CMC drug product (lower clinical dose thanks to highly viable cells and delivery scaffold, scalable process, and well-characterized MOA) Dr. Dromel said it can be priced based on analog drugs in rare diseas- es of similar prevalence and adjusted further with treatment outcomes. He estimated that IGT001 will be clinic ready by the end of 2026 and hopes to be on the market by 2028 or 2029. 2nd Place: The LASIK Tonometer – Maria Iglesias, MD, PhD Dr. Iglesias noted the use of the Goldmann applanation tonometer to measure IOP, but she mentioned how this doesn't work as well after laser procedures. The LASIK Tonometer aims to fill this gap. This new version was patented by the Barraquer Oph- thalmology Center in Barcelona. It has a disposable prototype or reusable forms, and it works in the same way as the Goldmann prism. This can be inserted in the slit lamp, Dr. Iglesias said, adding that the tonometer market grows each year. It could also complement Goldmann's applicability. Currently, it is being manufactured for research purposes, but she noted that they are aiming for distribution next year. The LASIK Tonometer has a strong IP platform, with no compe- tition with the gold standard, she said. There are also more than four clinical trials going on, with several public hospitals and private eye clin- ics in Spain. There is easy customer adaptation with no learning curve, and it can be sold along with Gold- mann applanation tonometry. 3rd Place: TheiaNova Ltd. – Carissa Fonseca, PhD This is a therapy for keratoconus and other corneal ectasias. Dr. Fonseca The Winning Pitch Challenge awards prize money to three innovators Dr. Dromel takes home the top prize at The Winning Pitch Challenge at Eyecelerator. Source: ASCRS

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