MacuCLEAR Inc.
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
MacuCLEAR's lead molecule for AMD, based on a marketed anti-hypertensive, stimulates choroidal blood flow so that cellular wastes in the eye can be cleared and never cause the breakdown of critical tissues that diminish vision. The company has received IND clearance to shepherd its treatment down the 505(b)(2) approval pathway with fast track status.
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Start-Up Previews (07/2009)
A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "Biotechs Eye Macular Degeneration," features profiles of Acucela, Iconic Therapeutics, MacuCLEAR, Ophthotech, Optherion and Sirion Therapeutics. "Scoping Out Gastroenterology Start-Ups" features profiles of invendo medical, Mauna Kea Technologies and Softscope Medical Technologies. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Bone Solutions, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Savara and VasoNova.
Acucela Inc.
Acucela is developing oral compounds that can possibly slow or stop vision loss caused by dry age-related macular degeneration. Its lead candidate is a small-molecule inhibitor of an enzyme called RPE65, known to be involved in the build-up of A2E, a toxic vitamin A by-product that is implicated in AMD.
Optherion Inc.
Based on a growing understanding of the genetics of age-related macular degeneration and its association with the immune system, Optherion is developing a treatment that it hopes may prevent the disease from progressing into its most serious and debilitating 'wet' form.