Ophthalmology Therapeutic Roundup — August 11, 2016

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

• Earlier this week, Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. and Editas Medicine, Inc. announced a collaboration to explore the delivery of genome editing medicines to treat up to five inherited retinal diseases. The joint program will reportedly use Adverum's next-generation adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for use with Editas’ leading genome editing technologies to create a series of novel therapies for eye diseases that have poor therapeutic options.
• ThromboGenics NV recently announced results from its two-year OASIS Phase IIIb study with Jetrea® (ocriplasmin) have been published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The study was reportedly designed to provide long-term controlled efficacy and safety data for Jetrea in patients being treated for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (sVMA). The study included 24 months follow up data, the longest period patients have been studied post treatment with this novel medicine.
• Sustained release drug delivery product maker pSivida Corp. recently announced it has met its primary endpoint in a utilization study of its new, proprietary 27-gauge inserter for Medidur for posterior uveitis. In the study, 66 percent of injections using the new 27-gauge inserter reportedly achieved a satisfactory rating of "Routine," "Easy" or "Very Easy. The company plans to use the study results as part of its U.S. New Drug Application and application for EU marketing authorization for Medidur for posterior uveitis.
• Ophthalmic products development company Eyeon Therapeutics has licensed the North American rights to its patents and pending intellectual property for over-the-counter (OTC) ophthalmic products to an undisclosed licensee.
• Perrigo Company plc recently reported it has completed the divestiture of its U.S. Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS) business to International Vitamin Corporation (IVC).
• International ophthalmic company Nicox S.A. recently announced it had completed the transfer of its European and international commercial operations and related late-stage development programs to a newly-founded, private, pan-European ophthalmic specialty pharmaceutical company.
• Clinical-stage ophthalmology company Acucela Inc. has announced the official name of Acucela Japan Kabushiki Kaisha will become Kubota Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. And its subsidiary, Acucela North America Inc., will merge with and assume the name of Acucela Inc.
• A new division of Earth Life Sciences Inc. has sourced a cannabis oil-based nutraceutical company, reportedly with the intention of eventually creating an organic medical marijuana oils producer with medical remedies for a variety of medical conditions, including glaucoma.