U.S. patent issued on new class of compounds to treat AMD

Exton, PA-A U.S. patent has been granted to a pharmaceuticals company that will cover a broad class of disubstituted hydroxylamine small molecules that target oxidative stress and inflammation pathways believed to be involved in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other ophthalmic diseases.

The patent covers several new chemical entities including composition of matter and use of the company’s lead product candidate, a topically dosed small molecule (OT-551, Othera) that inhibits oxidative stress and disease-induced inflammation.

The company has completed enrollment of a phase II clinical trial of the product for the treatment of an advanced form of dry AMD. Pre-clinical studies have shown that the product can reach the back of the eye in efficacious amounts after topical dosing and has demonstrated excellent safety to date, according to the company.

"We are very encouraged by preclinical research results demonstrating OT-551's potential to treat GA [geographic atrophy], one of the leading causes of vision loss and legal blindness,” said Al Reaves, PhD, senior vice president of clinical development for Othera. “Two phase II trials of OT-551 in GA patients are currently underway and we expect results of an interim analysis in the spring of 2009.”