Translating novel drug delivery techniques to ophthalmic products-unique opportunity for collaboration between academia and pharmaceutical industry

Abstract

To improve human health, scientific discoveries must be translated into clinical applications. Such discoveries typically begin at "the bench" with basic research — in which scientists study disease at a molecular or cellular level — then progress to the preclinical arena and ultimately to the patient's "bedside." Translational research has proven to be a powerful process that drives the clinical research engine. A strong collaboration among basic scientists in academia and the pharmaceutical industry is absolutely essential for the development of new ophthalmic products. Instillation of topical eye drops is the preferred and most convenient route of drug administration for treating ocular diseases. However, formulating mits the feasibility of producing aqueous formulation concentrations sufficient water insoluble drugs for topical applications is challenging. Hydrophobicity lio achieve therapeutic levels in the posterior ocular tissues. To overcome these problems, a novel nanomicellar formulation of voclosporin, a calcineurin inhibitor, has been developed to treat dry eye syndrome in association with Lux Biosciences Inc. Moreover this mixed micellar formulation has the ability to deliver the drugs to posterior segment of eye. This formulation underwent Phase I and Phase II trials. This unique nanomicellar drug delivery platform presents potential opportunities for topical administration of additional hydrophobic drugs and the ability to non-invasively target retinal and other posterior segment diseases i.e., age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and posterior uveitis.