Ripple Therapeutics Corporation is collaborating with an affiliate of Bausch + Lomb Corporation on a new evaluation program and licensing option agreement to develop sustained-release implants for ophthalmic diseases.
First, a look at these players.
No need for an intro on B+L … but as for Ripple, here's what to know about the Ontario-based, privately-held clinical stage company:
Its founding: Kicked off in 2019 with a focus on improving ophthalmic therapeutics via controlled, sustained drug delivery.
- And its pipeline: The company’s portfolio extends to glaucoma- and retina-based (such as age-related macular degeneration [AMD]) investigational therapeutics designed as implantable prodrugs.
- See here for a look at other target ophthalmic diseases.
Tell me more about these implantable prodrugs.
In simple terms: The company’s “Epidel” technology is a drug delivery platform based on the premise of chemically engineering (modifying) drugs into prodrugs that form the main material of an implant or coating—all without the use of polymers or additional excipient carriers.
Specifically: These Epidel prodrugs’ properties enable them to be processed into standalone drug delivery implants—including intravitreal (IVT), intracameral (IC), and micro/nanoparticles—or as medical device coatings.
- How this is done: Via surface erosion that results in the release of an active drug.
Explain how that works.
During surface erosion, prodrugs dissolve from the Epidel implant surface—in a “highly predictable manner” that allows for engineered tailoring (customization) of drug dose and duration—to give a zero order (sustained) release kinetics.
- Take note: The prodrug’s dose is determined by the implant’s surface area and the duration is based on the implant’s diameter.
And what’s an advantage of this controlled release?
Thanks to the lack of polymer or excipients, the implant also disappears once the prodrug is fully released—leaving no residue or potential inflammatory degradation byproducts.
And as an added bonus: This enables repeat dosing.
- Check out the process in action.
The intent: A reduced treatment burden that eliminates the need for drops, reduces injection frequency, and (ideally) enables easier management of care for eyecare providers.
Is there any clinical data available on the platform yet?
Yes, actually … preclinical findings, that is. See the data here.
Next up: the partnership.
Fair warning: Not too many details were shared.
But here's what we know: After reportedly kicking off earlier this year, the collaboration’s agreement terms include B+L:
- Funding the early-stage feasibility and preclinical evaluation of a target molecule
- Having the option to license any formulations under evaluation during the program for additional financial consolidation (such as milestones and royalties)
Any details on the target ophthalmic disease yet?
None so far.
However, Ripple has already launched two other strategic collaborations in the past 14 months:
- AbbVie (in September 2024)
- Its purpose: To develop Ripple’s sustained-release drug implant (RTC-620) with bimatoprost for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertensive patients.
- Glaukos Corporation (in October 2024)
Its purpose: To use Ripple’s platform to create sustained-release implants of targeted active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for both glaucoma and retinal diseases.