iCo, Ora team up

Vancouver, British Columbia-Re-profiling company iCo Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a consulting agreement with independent ophthalmic product development firm Ora Inc. in relation to the phase II clinical development of iCo-007.

The drug “represents a novel mechanism of action for treating sight-threatening ophthalmic diseases,” said Stuart B. Abelson, MBA, Ora’s president and chief executive officer (CEO).

Designed and discovered by ISIS Pharmaceuticals Inc., iCo-007 is a second-generation antisense drug targeting c-Raf kinase messenger ribonucleic acid for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy. iCo has exclusive worldwide rights to the drug.

iCo-007 completed an open-label, dose-escalating phase I trial at four U.S. clinical sites with safety as the primary endpoint and visual acuity and measures of retinal thickness serving as secondary endpoints. The drug was not associated with drug-related serious adverse events, signs of ocular inflammation, IOP issues, or systemic exposure, according to the company. Trends in measured secondary endpoints were “encouraging” and warranted further investigation, officials said.

“We are pleased to be able to access Ora’s extensive ophthalmic development expertise and professional networks as we continue to advance our phase II program in DME,” said Andrew J. Rae, MBA, iCo’s president and CEO.