Oxigene’s topical formulations of antitumor drug effective against eye diseases

The studies, performed in industry-standard rabbit models, indicate that two formulations of Zybrestat, when applied topically to the surface of the eye, are absorbed and result in concentrations of drug in target tissues in the back of the eye (retina and horoids), which the company believes will be sufficient for therapeutic activity in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and other potential eye diseases in which abnormal neovascularization plays a role.

Tolerability of the formulations was favorable in the rabbit studies, confirming data from earlier rodent studies. Based on these results, Oxigene is proceeding with further preclinical studies in non-rodent models, which, if consistent with results from rabbit and rodent studies, are expected to provide support for an IND submission, currently planned for the first half of 2008.

Richard Chin, president and CEO of Oxigene, said: “We believe that a topical formulation of Zybrestat could potentially be a major advance for patients with a variety of ophthalmic diseases and conditions.”