Glaucoma, prevailed in population over the age of 50, is characterized by progressive increase of IOP, measurable structural and functional damage to retinal cells and their axons, and finally visual impairment and blindness (the 2nd leading cause of blindnessa). WHO data indicated that global glaucoma population were already reaching 76 millions in 2020b. Among them, 60 millions are diagnosed with the primary open- angle glaucoma (POAG). The common treatment goal is to reduce the IOP and to halt/delay the progressive optic nerve degeneration.
Therapeutical approaches include laser, surgery and medicines. Most of the IOP-lowering treatments are for POAG, with primarily action in increasing aqueous humor outflow, or suppression of aqueous humor production, or both. However, the current standard treatments like PGA (may cause iris/skin hyperpigmentation or macular edema)、β-blockers (may cause arrythmia or low blood pressure) and α2-agonists (may cause dry mouth or sleep disturbance) all present different degree of side effects. A 4-year US study has also shown that 40% of the POAG patients cannot attain stable disease condition with monotherapy. Apparently, the introduction of the ROCK inhibitors should provide patients not just a new drug alternative but also treatment with better safety profile and efficacy results.
Ref:
a. Lancet Glob Health 2021; 9: e144-60.
b. World report on vision. Geneva: WHO; 2019.
c. Ophthalmology Glaucoma 2021;4:117-125.
MG-O-1001 for POAG and OH
MG-O-1001 eye drops is a patented new generation Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor for treating patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Its therapeutic potency is established through a dual-targeting mechanism, which in turn leads to relaxation of the cells of trabecular meshwork and the inner walls of Schlemm’s canal. The combined results are increase of aqueous humor outflow, so to achieve the intraocular pressure lowering effect.
Some of the Unique Product Features of MG-O-1001 Eye Drops:
- Novel and proven working mechanism,good for used alone or in combination with the other IOP-lowering agents.
- Intend to be best in class as the ROCK inhibition is a proven clinical approach for lowering IOP effectively and safely.
- Animal studies showed superior efficacy results in IOP-lowering than the current market leader.
- User-friendly as once a day.
MG-O-1001 eye drops project is in the submission process for its first-in-human study, as a Phase I/IIa to demonstrate the product’s safety, tolerability and efficacy. The study recruitment is expected to kick off in 2022/Q3.