Gene Signal Seeking Partner To Help Develop Eye Disease Drug
Biotech firm Gene Signal is currently in talks with potential partners to help the company develop its wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) drug. AMD is the leading cause of blindness for seniors, and the market for AMD is considered particularly lucrative by industry analysts. Gene Signal’s AMD drug, aganirsen, is administered as an eye drop or as an emulsion. This is different from current drugs currently on the market from Roche (Lucentis) and Regeneron (Eylea). Those drugs must be physically injected into the eye, which can be difficult for certain patients.
Gene Signal has confidence in the drug because pre-clinical studies have already shown that aganirsen can move from the front to the back of the eye, which is not often the case for a number of topical medicines. The next step for the drug is a mid-stage trial. Eric Viaud, the company’s CEO, said that the company is looking for a partnership to further develop the drug instead of an IPO. Because the effectiveness of injectable drugs can diminish over long periods of time, Viaud has acknowledged that Gene Signal’s eye drop drug could work as either a complementary or alternative treatment for AMD. “We know that we have an add-on effect. It's also an alternative when you cannot use injections anymore because of local infections or side effects,” he told Reuters.
Industry analysts still believe that it will be difficult for Gene Signal to immediately make a dent in the sales of Roche and Regeneron injectable AMD drugs, especially considering these drugs have become considered the safe and most efficient treatment option. Gene Signal is also facing the development of a similar eye drop drug by Ohr Pharmaceutical. Ohr’s AMD eye drop is currently in mid-stage trials. However, the company remains optimistic, citing the growing elderly population that will be in need of eye drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AMD affects 1.8 million Americans over the age of 40.
Viaud continued by saying that while the company could launch the drug for a smaller market in Europe, it would likely need a partner if it wanted to launch in the United States as an AMD treatment.