For the tenth year in a row, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of the Miami Miller School of Medicine has been ranked the nation’s best in ophthalmology in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Hospitals edition. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s doctors and scientists are recognized international leaders in their fields of expertise in every subspecialty in ophthalmology; these include macular, retinal and optic nerve diseases, cataracts, eye infections, eye cancers and eye diseases in children.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of the Miami Miller School of Medicine hosted the “Angiogenesis, Degeneration and Exudation Conference” symposium program in Miami on February 8th, where Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University Retina Associates of Cleveland, Inc., Dr. Lawrence Singerman, MD (pictured above), gave a presentation entitled “Update on Treatment with Squalamine Eye Drops”. He is also the Voluntary Professor of Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Singerman’s key “take away” messages/points delivered during the presentation can be outlined as follows:
Squalamine IV infusions were previously studied in humans with biologic effect demonstrated
Squalamine eye drops achieve trough concentrations in the choroid well in excess of its threshold level to inhibit angiogenesis (referring to previous studies in rabbits)
Ongoing phase II clinical trial in wet-AMD at 20+ centers with anticipated interim data in Q2/14, final data in Q4/14
Two IST’s underway in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and RVO, with two additional IST’s in DME to be initiated soon
Case Study data to be presented at the Macula Society Annual Meeting on February 19, 2014.
Dr. Irach B. Taraporewala B.S., M.S., Ph.D., CEO of New York City based biotechnology company Ohr Pharmaceutical (NasdaqCM: OHRP) was in attendance at the conference. Note that Ohr Pharmaceutical’s Squalamine Eye Drop clinical program is evaluating a non-invasive solution for the treatment of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD) was estimated to affect 1.75 million Americans in 2004, and the number is expected to increase to 3 million by 2020. The disease manifests via aberrant vascularization in the back of the eye that damages the retina and causes vision loss. Wet-AMD is associated with age, and other factors such as smoking are also correlated with the disease. Treatments for wet AMD can also be useful for diabetic macular edema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO), expanding the therapeutic potential of therapies developed for this indication.
Current treatment options for wet-AMD patients involve chronic physician administered injections directly into the eye.
Ohr Pharmaceutical has developed an eye drop formulation of squalamine for the treatment of wet AMD. The current FDA approved pharmaceuticals available to treat wet AMD are administered chronically, and delivered via injection directly into the eye. Ohr’s innovative formulation is designed for self-administration and may provide several potential advantages over currently available therapies, including:
Eye drops may reduce or eliminate painful and inconvenient intravitreal injections that patients must undergo on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
Potential for additional visual acuity gains through the inhibition of multiple growth factors.
Cost advantage of a small molecule when compared to the current standards of care which are biological drugs that cost $1850-$2000 per injection.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that squalamine eyes drops are safe and that squalamine can reach the back of the eye at concentrations that are known to inhibit neovascularization in tissue. The studies also support a twice-daily dosing structure based on the retention characteristics of squalamine in posterior ocular tissues. Twice daily eye drop administration is a convenient and patient-friendly dosing structure that can allow Ohr to achieve the goal of improving patient care and patient outcomes.
Ohr is conducting a randomized, double masked, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial using squalamine eye drops in patients with newly diagnosed wet AMD. The trial reached 50% enrollment in July 2013, and interim data are expected in the second quarter of 2014.
Additionally, to learn more about Ohr Pharmaceutical (NasdaqCM: OHRP) please visit the Vista Partners’ website at the following link where one can find a dedicated company page that includes the latest company and industry news, videos, links to SEC filings, a FREE Report & more.
Shares of Ohr Pharmaceutical (NasdaqCM: OHRP) closed today’s session at a new all-time closing high of $15.42 up $2.12 per share or 15.9% and reached an all-time intraday high of $15.68.
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