Preclinical data released for potential DME treatment

NCX 434, a new drug candidate form NicOx, is reported to improve oxygen saturation in the eye and preclinical data was recently presented at the Ocular Diseases & Drug Discovery Conference in the United States in anticipation that the results may assist DME future treatment.

In its press statement NicOx said that the effects of intravitreal injections of NCX 434 or triamcinolone, a reference steroid, on oxygen saturation in the optic nerve head (ONH) and overlaying arteries and veins were assessed in preclinical models. NCX 434, in contrast to triamcinolone, enhanced oxygen saturation (p

NCX 434 is believed to operate through a dual mechanism of action, having both vasoactive and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, there was no significant difference in IOP with either compound. NCX 434 has been shown to elicit sustained efficacy in a VEGF-induced leakage model without causing an increase in IOP (unpublished results).

Bahram Khoobehi, Ph.D., Professor of Ophthalmology at the LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, commented: “ The preclinical results obtained with NCX 434 in collaboration with NicOx show the potential for a compelling differentiated profile. Tissue oxygenation is often defective in DME patients and is not addressed with current drug therapy. I am looking forward to seeing further data on this drug candidate.”