Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corp., a leader in the development of innovative drug candidates to address significant diseases of the eye, today presented results confirming the mechanism of action of the Company’s lead glaucoma candidate, INO-8875, as a trabecular meshwork outflow enhancer. Studies were conducted in human trabecular meshwork cells and multiple preclinical models. INO-8875 has successfully completed a single-dose Phase 1/2 trial in glaucoma and is expected to enter Phase 2 trials with an eye-drop formulation in mid-2010. The data was presented in a poster presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
- INO-8875 in an eye-drop formulation dose-dependently lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) by 20-25% from baseline at 1-2 hours after single doses in normotensive eyes. The IOP-lowering effect of INO-8875 was sustained for 4-6 hours post-dose.
- In human trabecular meshwork cells, INO-8875 rapidly activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and stimulated the release of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). MMP-2 is thought to be a key player in the processing of extracellular matrix that can accumulate in the trabecular meshwork and impede aqueous humor outflow.
- In isolated, perfused anterior segments of the eye, INO-8875 significantly increased conventional outflow (i.e., outflow through the trabecular meshwork) compared to vehicle.