Glaukos Corporation and Celanese Corporation announced a collaborative agreement for a sustained-release glaucoma treatment involving two of the companies’ technologies: the iDose TR (Glaukos) and VitalDose Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) copolymer platform (Celanese).
Remind me about Celanese.
Celanese Corporation (formerly known as Hoechst Celanese) is a Texas-based global chemical leader producing differentiated chemical solutions and specialty materials for most major industries, including agricultural, medical, pharma, and food & beverage. Its industrial chemicals are used in a variety of areas, including pharmaceuticals.
Now talk about the iDose TR.
As a micro-invasive intraocular implant, the iDose TR targets intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension.
It’s designed to offer long-lasting therapy by continuously releasing therapeutic medication levels for at least 1 year. Also of note: Glaukos submitted a new drug application (NDA) for the implant in February 2023; the FDA has not yet approved it.
See here for more details.
And the VitalDose platform?
The VitalDose EVA copolymer is a biostable technology platform designed to provide controlled and sustained release performance for drug-eluting implants.
The EVA allows for processing with various manufacturing methods and is compatible with proteins, peptides, and small molecules for specific drug formulations, release, and delivery requirements.
How will these technologies work together?
As the iDose TR is designed to focus on patient non-adherence and chronic side effects associated with topical medications, the VitalDose EVA will work as the drug-eluting component of the implant to provide 24/7, around-the-clock (ATC) therapy.
Financial details?
As of April 6, no information was disclosed.
Significance?
The sustained-release capabilities of the platform-implant combination could provide glaucoma patients with an alternative, long-lasting treatment option—sparing them from compliance and adherence challenges.