Aciex and Portola enter into research agreement

Aciex Therapeutics and Portola Pharmaceuticals have entered into a collaborative agreement to develop drugs for the treatment of topical ophthalmic diseases, according to the latest press release.

Both firms will fund and participate in development activities for treating ocular allergy, dry eye and other inflammatory eye conditions. Portola will use a library that includes extensive preclinical systemic data packages. Aciex will also have access to Portola's small molecule dual Syk/JAK inhibitors for the clinical development of ophthalmic indications.

Ora, provider of practical and clinical development services, will provide regulatory consulting services and support to the collaboration. Dr Mark Abelson, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and Chief Scientific Officer at Ora, commented, "We are excited about this class of drugs. The Syk/JAK pathways targeted by Portola’s compounds offer the potential to provide robust inhibition of the mast cell and other inflammatory components of ocular disease and represent the next generation of therapy for the eye."

Les Kaplan, PhD, executive chairman of Aciex, added, “This strategic partnership combines Aciex’s specific ophthalmic research and development capability with Portola’s expertise in cellular signaling pathways and medicinal chemistry to advance treatments for inflammatory ocular conditions. Aciex shares with Portola a common goal of using leading-edge science to develop and deliver therapies for patients who currently have limited or no approved treatments.”

Further details on the collaboration can be found on the Portola website.