SEATTLE & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acucela Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for sight-threatening diseases, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., (Otsuka) a Japan-based, “big venture” pharmaceutical company, today announced results from a recently completed phase IIa study of emixustat hydrochloride in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The results were presented by Pravin Dugel, MD, Managing Partner, Retinal Consultants of Arizona during a podium session at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2013 Annual Meeting.
Emixustat hydrochloride is under investigation to determine whether it slows the progression of GA in patients with GA associated with dry AMD. The oral availability of emixustat hydrochloride and its ability to specifically target the visual cycle represent a potential new therapeutic approach for the treatment of AMD. AMD is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in the developed world, the overwhelming majority of which is associated with dry AMD. There are currently no medications approved to treat GA associated with dry AMD.
Phase IIa Study Design and Results
The purpose of the study was to assess the safety and tolerability of various emixustat hydrochloride doses in subjects with GA compared with placebo. In addition, the study included electroretinography tests (ERGs) to confirm the biological activity of emixustat hydrochloride in the retina. Seventy-two patients were randomly assigned to either emixustat hydrochloride (2, 5, 7 or 10 mg in the morning or 5 mg in the evening) or placebo, administered daily for up to 90 days. Adverse events and data on other safety parameters were collected. The clinical study results demonstrated safety and tolerability of the doses evaluated and confirmed the biological activity of orally administered emixustat hydrochloride. Emixustat hydrochloride is currently in a phase IIb/III clinical trial for the treatment of GA associated with dry AMD and was granted Fast Track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2010 for the treatment of GA associated with dry AMD.
Dr. Dugel stated, “This proof-of-concept study demonstrated a dose-dependent biologic effect and emixustat hydrochloride’s ability to modulate the visual cycle, supporting further investigation into its potential to slow the growth of geographic atrophy lesions and potentially preserve sight.”
Prior to this study, emixustat hydrochloride had been administered to a total of 125 healthy subjects. In 2012, Acucela announced interim phase IIa results evaluating emixustat hydrochloride in patients with GA associated with dry AMD. The three-month study presented at the ARVO meeting today was the first study in the target dry AMD patient population and provided support that further studies are warranted.
About Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
There are more than 10 million people in the US and more than 120 million people worldwide who have age-related macular degeneration (1). AMD is associated with irreversible vision loss, the overwhelming majority of which is due to the dry form of AMD, representing approximately 90% of all cases. Dry AMD occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the back of the eye slowly deteriorate, gradually blurring the central field of vision. As the disease advances, and when patients typically present with GA, the blurred vision slowly progresses to blindness in affected areas of the eye.
“Early detection and treatment are critical for treating AMD, which has the potential to rob patients of their sight—a devastating possibility for anyone,” noted Dr. Dugel.
About the Acucela/Otsuka Pharmaceutical Emixustat Hydrochloride Agreement
Acucela and Otsuka Pharmaceutical entered into an agreement on September 4, 2008 to co-develop Acucela’s emixustat hydrochloride in North America. In addition, Otsuka Pharmaceutical acquired the exclusive development and commercialization rights in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa while Acucela has retained all rights in Europe and other countries outside of Otsuka’s exclusive territory.
About Acucela Inc.
Acucela Inc. (www.acucela.com or www.acucela.jp) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in discovering and developing novel therapeutics to treat and slow the progression of sight-threatening ophthalmic diseases impacting millions of individuals worldwide. The Company currently has three product candidates in development: Emixustat hydrochloride for age-related macular degeneration, rebamipide ophthalmic suspension for dry eye syndrome and OPA-6566 for ocular hypertension and glaucoma, all of which are being co-developed in the United States with Otsuka Pharmaceutical. Based on Acucela’s core technology, visual cycle modulation, the investigational compound emixustat hydrochloride is being evaluated to treat GA associated with dry age-related macular degeneration. The Company also intends to leverage the VCM technology to develop treatments for diseases such as: diabetic retinopathy/diabetic macular edema, Stargardt’s disease and retinopathy of prematurity. Rebamipide ophthalmic suspension, being developed for dry eye syndrome in the United States, is marketed in Japan under the trade name Mucosta® ophthalmic suspension UD2% by Otsuka. OPA-6566, an adenosine A2a receptor agonist, is being investigated as an ophthalmic solution for lowering intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension patients under a co-development agreement with Otsuka.
About Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: 'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.' Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative and original products, with a focus on pharmaceutical products for the treatment of diseases and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of everyday health.
In pharmaceuticals, Otsuka is a leading firm in the challenging area of mental health and for several decades has been active in research on tuberculosis, a significant global public health issue. These commitments illustrate more powerfully than words how Otsuka is a “big venture” company at heart, applying a youthful spirit of creativity in everything it does.
Otsuka is a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., the holding company for the Otsuka Group. The chairman Akihiko Otsuka is the third generation of Otsuka family members to lead the business, whose origins date from 1921. The Otsuka Group has business operations in 25 countries and regions around the world, with consolidated sales of approximately USD 14.7 billion for fiscal year 2011 (4/1/2011-3/31/2012). Otsuka welcomes you to visit its global website at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/
(1) 2012 Comprehensive Report on The Global Retinal Pharmaceuticals & Biologics Market, Market Scope.
