Glaukos Corporation and RevOpsis Therapeutics, Inc. have partnered on an exclusive license agreement to develop and commercialize a novel tri-specific biologic for retinal disease.
Let’s start there, with RevOpsis.
The privately-held, next-generation biopharmaceutical company is developing multispecific antibody biologics to target multiple dominant biologic pathways in complex multifactorial ophthalmic diseases.
Among these: retinal diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macula edema (DME), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
And how is it doing this, exactly?
By utilizing its proprietary technology: the fully human, multispecific RevMod Platform.
What to know about it: The platform utilizes a modular “plug-and-play” method to streamline and expedite the development of multispecific biologics targeting chronic and widespread disease.
- Per RevOpsis: The technology features nearly 30 billion fully human antibody components in a structured phage display system of a library.
Tell me more.
The platform is designed to enable a rapid identification and assembly process of multispecific products via a compatibility mechanism that enables the development of multispecific biologics.
In turn, these biologics are intended to address unmet needs in three major therapeutic areas: ophthalmology, oncology, and immune-mediated diseases.
Check out the various benefits RevOpsis associates with RevMOD, based on this clinical research.
Speaking of biologics … which one is at the center of this new agreement?
That would be RevOpsis’ lead asset: RO-104.
What it is: a first-in-class, fully human modular tri-specific biologic designed to simultaneously block and inhibit three angiogenic pathways linked to retinal vascular disease progression:
Those pathways: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C, and angiopoietin (Ang)-2.
- See here for what sets RO-104 apart from other anti-VEGF therapies.
- Hint: It has everything to do with targeting those three angiogenic pathways.
- And if you’re wondering, why not just stick with targeting VEGF-A? Click here.
Any clinical data on it to note?
In humans? Not quite … however, evaluations conducted in "established animal models” were reported to demonstrate RO-104’s “superior preclinical efficacy” when compared to approved anti-VEGF therapeutics.
To note: Glance could not independently verify and confirm the results from those preclinical studies—nor specify which approved anti-VEGF therapeutics these included.
Noted. So, where does Glaukos come into its development?
The company’s exclusive rights actually extend beyond just RO-104.
But regarding the biologic: Glaukos will receive the rights to both develop and commercialize RO-104 for its target retinal disease indication: wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
And beyond that?
Glaukos will also be granted the exclusive rights to the RevMed platform for the “discovery and development” of up to four additional retinal biologic candidates targeting :
- Wet AMD
- Diabetic macular edema (DME)
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR)
- Retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
No financial details were disclosed.
Now let’s talk big picture.
Glaukos Chairman and CEO Thomas Burns noted that the addition of RO-104 and the RevMod platform are “highly complementary to our ongoing retinal R&D initiatives.”
From strengthening the company’s existing retina pipeline to offering a “differentiated discovery engine” that could “generate several additional retinal therapeutic candidates across a variety of retinal diseases,” Burns referred to this move as an important “strategic step in the continued expansion of our retinal franchise.”
“We believe the unique ability of RO-104 to simultaneously target VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and Ang-2 could offer meaningful advantages in the treatment of retinal vascular disease while further expanding our long-term innovation capabilities in retina,” he stated.
And for RevOpsis?
Ramanath Bhandari, the company’s chairman and CEO, called the licensing agreement “an important validation” of its RevMod platform and multi-specific therapeutic development strategy.
Also worth noting: This follows the company’s multi-year accomplishments in securing seed funding and receiving a grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI) to support the advancement of its tri-specific therapy.
So! Do we know what’s next for RO-104?
Not so far. However, given that the only current preclinical data available on the therapy is from animal models, perhaps a phase 1 study may be on the horizon.
Stay tuned for updates!