Preclinical development
Preclinical studies have shown that RetinoStat can deliver the two anti-angiogenic genes to the retina with high efficiency and confers long-term expression. In an industry-standard model of AMD, the product demonstrated statistically significant efficacy versus a control.
Sanofi-aventis collaboration
Oxford BioMedica entered a collaboration with sanofi-aventis in April 2009 to develop four LentiVector-based products for the treatment of ocular diseases, including RetinoStat. Oxford BioMedica is responsible for preclinical development and for conducting initial Phase I/II studies. Under the joint development plan, the companies aim to advance RetinoStat into Phase I/II development in 2010.
|
 |
Market opportunity
Age-related macular degeneration is a major cause of blindness, affecting an estimated 25 to 30 million people in the Western world. Neovascular “wet” AMD accounts for 90% of all severe vision loss from the disease. The current leading treatment, Lucentis® (Genentech), achieved sales in the USA of US$875 million in 2008 but requires repeated injections directly into the eye. RetinoStat could require only a single or infrequent administration, and could also provide a safer and more efficient means of inhibiting angiogenesis.
|
