Quark Pharmaceuticals Inc. it has amended an existing exclusive licensing agreement with Pfizer in order to enable Quark to perform a Phase 2a clinical study to assess the effect of PF-655 on visual function in patients with moderate and advanced open-angle glaucoma (OAG). This study will be conducted in parallel with an ongoing Phase 2b study (QRK202) in diabetic macular edema (DME). The OAG study will evaluate the potential of PF-655 to enhance visual function in glaucoma. Under the amended agreement, should Pfizer assume development and potential commercialization of PF-655 in either or both indications following review of the Phase 2a PF-655 data, Quark will receive option exercise payments and be will eligible to receive development and regulatory milestones specific to each indication, as well as sales milestones and royalties. Quark may be eligible to receive additional total payments of up to approximately $165 million associated with development and approval of PF-655 for OAG.
Preclinical studies of PF-655 conducted by Quark suggest the potential of the compound as a neuroprotective and potentially neuroenhancing agent in diseases such as OAG, by preventing optic neural cell apoptosis and stimulating optic neural cell regeneration. In addition, in a Phase 2a study in patients with DME (Pfizer DEGAS study #B0451004), repeated injections of PF-655 showed a dose-dependent increase in visual acuity independent of changes in retinal thickness.
The beneficial effects of PF-655 on visual function may potentially be due to effects on retinal cells themselves, rather than on vascular permeability.
The OAG study will be a Phase 2a, multi-center, double-masked, randomized, repeat dose, safety, tolerability and efficacy study in up to 108 patients with moderate and advanced OAG. In addition, Quark is currently conducting a Phase 2b study (QRK202) in DME patients testing higher doses of PF-655 alone and in combination with Lucentis to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of PF-655 in DME and to determine the optimal dose for pivotal Phase 3 studies.
Date: May 1, 2012
Source: Quark Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
