Stuart Therapeutics and Glaukos have signed a licence agreement for the former’s ST-113 drug candidate for neuroprotection in glaucoma.
Glaukos has received exclusive global rights for the development and commercialisation of the patented pre-clinical asset.
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The drug candidate has shown the potential to deliver neuroprotection and neuro-repair of optic nerve axons when tested in animals.
Stuart will receive an upfront payment, along with additional development and sales-related milestone payments and royalties.
Glaukos will be responsible for all development costs of ST-113.
ST-113 is being evaluated as a therapy for open-angle glaucoma, including normal tension glaucoma.
It is a synthesised collagen mimetic peptide that restores impaired helical collagen selectively in the extracellular matrix.
According to Stuart’s preclinical research findings, ST-113 can restore collagen’s structural and cell signalling functions within the optic nerve, which will lead to decreased inflammation and restored nerve health.
Stuart has been working on ST-113 for glaucoma, which has included creating new endpoints suitable for a neuroprotective approach to the disease.
Stuart Therapeutics president and CEO Eric Schlumpf stated: “We wanted to partner with a leader in glaucoma therapeutics to bring this innovative drug candidate to the millions of glaucoma patients across the world, and Glaukos has delivered in this important disease area.
“They bring critical focus on novel therapies, capabilities in drug product design and delivery and commercial strength worldwide.”
