Aerie enters into research collaboration with GrayBug for new delivery technologies

Aerie is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class therapies for patients with glaucoma and other diseases of the eye. GrayBug develops microparticle controlled release drug delivery technologies to treat ocular diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.

Initially, the deal will focus on evaluating the ability of GrayBug’s polymer-based delivery technology to provide multi-month drug release capability for an Aerie small molecule for wet AMD.

In pre-clinical in vivo studies, Aerie’s AR-13154 molecule has reduced wet AMD lesion size more than the market-leading product Eylea (aflibercept).

The company noted that AR-13154 targets Rho Kinase, Janus Kinase 2, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta.

The deal also provides Aerie with the ability to evaluate long-term sustained delivery of the active ingredient in Rhopressa to the anterior chamber of the eye for patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Aerie chairman and chief executive officer Vicente Anido said: "AR-13154 has shown impressive results pre-clinically, and we believe the best way to provide sustained delivery of this product to the back of the eye is through GrayBug’s unique delivery platform.

"We are also interested in further evaluating front of the eye applications for our glaucoma product set."

Under the one-year research collaboration, Aerie will have an exclusive option to obtain an exclusive license to use the GrayBug technology to develop and commercialize sustained-release versions of its ophthalmic products.

The deal will see GrayBug receive development milestone payments from Aerie as well as royalty payments upon successful commercialization of any products developed from the collaboration.