Amakem NV
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
Launched in early 2010 by former Devgen executives, Amakem NV joins the ranks of companies developing rho-kinase inhibitors for glaucoma. It is using its "Localized Drug Action" platform to limit the side effects common to most kinase inhibitors, a strategy it believes will provide an edge over competitors whose ROCK inhibitors are far more advanced.
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Start-Up Previews (10/2010)
A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "Eyeing New Drugs For Glaucoma," features profiles of Altheos, Amakem and Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Aragon Surgical, Arcarios, Carolina BioPharm, Miromatrix Medical and Pathogenica.
Eyeing New Drugs For Glaucoma
Demographic shifts leading to an increasing market, unmet medical need and potential interest from Big Pharma buyers are all compelling reasons for VCs to examine closely the opportunity in glaucoma. Add in the fact that because clinical trials are relatively straightforward and quick, it's possible to keep costs manageable, and one might expect venture capitalists to be rushing to form biotech start-ups in the glaucoma arena, especially since there's been no new mechanism of action in glaucoma in a long time. But the hurdle giving venture investors pause is the wholesale restructuring that will come to the glaucoma market next March, when a key patent for Xalatan expires.
Altheos Inc.
At its inception, Altheos licensed a series of selective Rho-kinase inhibitors for glaucoma from Asahi Kasei Pharma, and it plans to move the lead candidate into clinical trials in the coming year. Although the start-up is behind several companies that already have ongoing ROCK inhibitor trials, Altheos believes its approach to drug discovery and medicinal chemistry make its therapeutic likely to prove itself the best among the new class of medicines for staving off vision loss from glaucoma.