Ophthalmology Therapeutic Roundup — August 18, 2016

Here's a look at some of the latest news regarding ophthalmic drugs and therapies from the past week. 

• Earlier this week, Eleven Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced it had completed an exclusive licensing deal for its IL-6 antagonist antibody technology with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Roche), which grants Roche an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize EBI-031 and all other IL-6 antagonist antibody technology owned by Eleven. EBI-031 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that potently binds interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inhibits all known forms of IL-6 cytokine signaling, and is currently in development for the treatment of ocular diseases.
• Also this week, pSivida Corp. presented topline results from the first of its two Phase 3 trials for Medidur for recurrent non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye at the American Society of Retinal Specialists Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The Phase 3 trial reportedly met its primary endpoint — prevention of recurrence of disease at six months — with high statistical significance (p less than 0.00000001, intent to treat analysis) maintained through 12 months.
• Clinical stage biopharmaceutical company Iconic Therapeutics recently announced the final closing of its Series C financing, bringing an additional $10 million into the company and completing the Series C at $48.5 million. Proceeds from the financing will reportedly be used to advance development of Iconic’s lead molecule ICON-1 in retinal diseases as well begin clinical trials in ocular melanoma.
• Perrigo Company plc has agreed to acquire Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc. — a small national distributor of over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare and consumer goods products to the non-chain retail and institutional markets. The acquisition reportedly helps Perrigo strengthen and diversify its U.S. distribution and retail network.
• And specialty pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical therapies manufacturer Mallinckrodt plc plans to build out a new campus for its Specialty Brands organizations in Bedminster, N.J. Mallinckrodt will reportedly invest greater than $80 million in New Jersey, and anticipates approximately 400 employees will occupy the new space in the first quarter of 2017.