With hopes high and eyes on the future, the pharmaceutical company Inotek was riding a wave of optimism following promising early and mid-stage results of trials for its drug trabodenoson and the search for a cure for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT). Unfortunately, according to a report in Counsel & Heal, the company was blindsided when the drug failed the late stage trials, and researchers were sent back to the lab to see what their next step will be.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Glaucoma currently has no cure, and often goes undetected, slowly robbing a person of his or her site by damaging the optic nerve. Because there are few, if any outward symptoms, many do not realize they have the disease until it is too late. Early detection is needed, with the most common test being a simple measure of fluid pressure in the eye. Risk factors for contracting glaucoma include a genetic or hereditary disposition for the disease and age.
 |
| Glaucoma diagram. Source: medlineplus.gov |
Glaucoma Trial Parameters
During the mid-stages, researchers found that trabodenoson reduced intraocular pressure by stimulating the outflow of aqueous trabecular meshwork fluid in the eye. The late-stage trial consisted of three doses of trabodenoson against a placebo during the three months it was administered to those with the most common forms of glaucoma or OHT. Data was collected on the 28th, 42nd, and 84th days and at four time points each.
The late-stage trials failed because the promising new glaucoma medication did not produce statistically better results than the placebo group in reducing eye pressure in the subjects. Also, the late-stage findings did not follow the same patterns or deliver similar results as those from the mid-stage trials. Inotek does not believe additional studies will produce different results.
Looking Forward
Inotek is not turning a blind eye to the search for a cure for glaucoma, and the company announced it would continue its research, setting its sights on a combination of Trabodenoson and Latanoprost. Until then, the best defense against glaucoma and other forms of eye disease is annual testing and adopting good eye care practices. If eye problems are detected, whether it is glaucoma, OHT, macular degeneration, or another condition, numerous medications are available for safe and effective treatment.
