With the large Baby Boomer population reaching its senior years, the incidence of age-related vision loss in the U.S. is expected to increase. Specifically, experts are anticipating a rise in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness for people over 60. AMD, which destroys a patient’s central vision, affects approximately 30 million people worldwide and represents a potential market of more than $5 billion. There is currently no approved treatment for AMD.
The “dry” form of AMD affects 90 percent of patients with AMD. It can progress into the “wet” form, which only affects 10% of AMD patients but is responsible for 90% of severe AMD-related vision loss. One company working to halt the progression from dry to wet AMD is MacuCLEAR, based in Plano, Texas. MacuCLEAR‘s lead product candidate is MC1101, an ophthalmic solution that lists an FDA-approved anti-hypertension drug as its active ingredient. The goal of MC1101 is to prevent dry AMD from progressing to wet AMD by preventing the rupture of the Bruch’s membrane, which is associated with the progression from dry AMD to wet AMD, and to treat the aging effects of inflammation and oxidative stress. The drug has earned Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The product is delivered via the Versidoser ophthalmic drug delivery system, developed by Mystic Pharmaceuticals. Together, MacuCLEAR and Mystic Pharmaceuticals have completed a Phase Ib/Proof of Concept clinical trial of MC1101. Preliminary results announced in October 2009 indicated that the drug was safe and well tolerated by study participants, and affected blood flow in the back of the retina. MC1101 is based on the theory that restoring blood flow in this area will aid in preventing the progression of AMD.
In May, MacuCLEAR was acquired by Healthcare of Today, a healthcare holding company whose acquisitions include a number of companies specializing in senior care.
MacuCLEAR is one of over 70 select companies that will be presenting at the OneMedForum New York 2010, held June 29-30. For more information about the conference, please visit http://www.onemedplace.com/forum.