DGAP-News

iCo Therapeutics Announces Pre IND meeting for Novel Glaucoma Asset

DGAP-News: iCo Therapeutics Inc. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous iCo Therapeutics Announces Pre IND meeting for Novel Glaucoma Asset 15.06.2017 / 22:15 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 15, 2017) - iCo Therapeutics (TSXV: ICO) (OTCQB: ICOTF) ('iCo' or 'the Company'), today reported it will hold a pre IND meeting with the Division of Transplantation and Ophthalmology, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 21st, 2017.

• Discussions will focus on a proprietary dual action glaucoma asset with a novel mechanism of action that reduces intraocular pressure (IOP). The target is validated by literature and a pre-clinical proof of concept in several animal models confirms efficacy in reducing IOP. It has possible neuroprotective activity and the potential for novel and more effective combinations with prostaglandin analogs.
  • To date 29 patents have been issued
  • Asset addresses a market that is estimated to grow to $5 billion by 2018
    (Source: 2014 Market Scope Estimates; Courtesy Dave Harman. http://market-scope.com/)
• Purpose of the FDA Type B pre-IND meeting will be to discuss questions related to the program development for SVT-63 or SVT-88 as topical ophthalmic solutions for the treatment of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension, including study designs in monotherapy and combination clinical trials as well as acceptable visual function endpoints for exploration of potential neuroprotective properties of the two compounds.
• In a previous study patients administered an inhibitor 11B-HSD, mediated via 11B-HSD1 in the ciliary epithelium, lowered IOP in patients with ocular hypertension (S. Rauz et al. QJ Med 2003; 96: 481-490)
• iCo has the worldwide exclusive option to acquire the asset outright, with diligence activities during the option period focusing on commercialization of the asset

Stated Andrew Rae, CEO of iCo Therapeutics, 'we are excited to have arrived at this inflection point with our colleagues at Salvat and look forward to important guidance regarding a clinical path forward for a potential first in class glaucoma candidate'.