Stuart Therapeutics has signed a license agreement to grant Glaukos exclusive global rights to develop and commercialise its proprietary ST-113 drug candidate for neuroprotection in glaucoma.
ST-113 is a patented pre-clinical asset which is being assessed by Stuart Therapeutics for the treatment of open angle glaucoma, including normal tension glaucoma.
Under the license agreement, Stuart Therapeutics will get an upfront payment as well as development and sales-related milestone payments along with royalties.
Glaukos, an ophthalmic medical technology company, will cover all expenses incurred in the development of ST-113.
Stuart Therapeutics president and CEO Eric Schlumpf said: “We are thrilled to have joined forces with Glaukos to develop the first neuroprotective therapeutic targeting the extracellular matrix, which based on our research plays an important role in glaucoma.
“We wanted to partner with a leader in glaucoma therapeutics to bring this innovative drug candidate to the millions of glaucoma patients across the world, and Glaukos has delivered in this important disease area.
“They bring critical focus on novel therapies, capabilities in drug product design and delivery, and commercial strength worldwide. Stuart Therapeutics is proud to work with Glaukos on this important programme.”
The drug candidate has shown its ability to offer neuroprotection and neuro-repair of optic nerve axons in animal testing.
According to the US-based Stuart Therapeutics, ST-113 is a candidate for a therapeutic approach to glaucoma that is independent of control of intraocular pressure and can cure normal tension glaucoma.
It is a synthesised collagen mimetic peptide, which selectively repair damaged helical collagen within the extracellular matrix.
Stuart Therapeutics is said to have been actively developing ST-113 for glaucoma, which includes creating new endpoints that may be used in a neuroprotective manner to treat the condition.
