
- Ophthalmology Times, April 15 2019
- Volume 44
- Issue 7
Pharmacologic pipeline makes waves in glaucoma
Eye drops, drug-delivery system innovations aim to improve outcomes, adherence
With new agents approved and more new drugs moving through the pipeline, there is plenty of innovation occurring for the treatment of glaucoma.
The long drought in new glaucoma medications is over. After more than 20 years without a single new glaucoma eye drop, several therapeutic agents have been approved in recent months, with other novel drugs moving through clinical trials.
“There has been a lot of innovation in glaucoma surgery with MIGS, but also a lot of innovation with glaucoma medical therapy,” said Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, founder and attending surgeon,
The most recent approval in March 2019 is a combination of netarsudil and latanoprost (Rocklatan) from Aerie Pharmaceuticals. Pooled data from the phase III Mercury trials showed the once-daily combination is more effective at lowering IOP than either of its ingredients used as a single agent. The combination is being pitched as a single-product alternative to multiple eye drops, which could improve adherence as well as therapeutic effect.
Another recent introduction is latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution (Vyzulta,
Nitric oxide is an endogenous signaling molecule that increases the permeability of the trabecular meshwork to enhance aqueous humor outflow. It activates the soluble guanylate cyclase-cGMP cascade to inhibit Rho kinase and lower intracellular calcium levels to mediate cell relaxation in the trabecular meshwork to improve outflow.
Also new is the first (benzalkonium chloride) BAK-free formulation of latanoprost drops. The once-daily, BAK-free formulation was developed by Sun Pharma Advanced Research Co., Sun Pharma’s R&D division. The formulation is stable at room temperature and could reduce the risk of BAK-associated ocular surface disease and will be marketed in the United States by Sun Ophthalmics.
Delivery systems
Eye drops work well in glaucoma, but only when patients are compliant. New drug-delivery systems offer the hope of improved therapeutic outcomes by taking patient adherence out of the loop.
Punctal plugs that elute travoprost and latanoprost agents are in development.
A variety of innovators big and small are working on everything from printing latanoprost microdots (Enovia) to new Rho kinase inhibitors or more familiar prostaglandin analogs delivered via ocular implants (
BioMed/Manner Research and Aerpro are both developing a Tier 2 activating molecule targeting glaucoma. BioMed is working on POAG while Aerpro is working on POAG associated with diabetes.
Neuroprotection is another active field, and
Allergan had worked on oral memantine as a potential neuroprotective agent. Unfortunately, trials in nearly 2,300 patients comparing two doses of memantine and placebo found no effect on glaucoma visual field progression or optic nerve changes.
At least three companies,
“There is plenty of innovation still coming for the treatment of glaucoma,” Dr. Lindstrom concluded.
Disclosures:
Richard L. Lindstrom, MD
E: [email protected]
This article was adapted from Dr. Lindstrom’s presentation at the 2018 meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Lindstrom has no financial interests to report.
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