EyePoint and Rallybio Partner to Evaluate Inhibitor of Complement Component 5 and Durasert Technology for Intraocular Delivery in GA

EyePoint Pharmaceuticals and Rallybio announced a research collaboration aimed at evaluating sustained delivery of Rallybio’s inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5) using EyePoint’s proprietary Durasert technology for sustained intraocular drug delivery. The initial focus will be on geographic atrophy.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

“We are excited to begin this research collaboration to explore the combination of Rallybio’s C5 inhibitor with our bioerodible Durasert sustained release drug delivery technology to develop a potential long-acting treatment for geographic atrophy,” Jay Duker, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, said in a company news release. “Geographic atrophy associated with dry macular degeneration is a devastating eye disease, and the inhibition of complement is a proven treatment pathway. We hope to leverage our Durasert technology in this collaboration to create a potential best-in-class, long-acting intravitreal insert, which we believe could provide a more desirable option for patients given that the existing approved therapy is injected every one to two months.”

“EyePoint’s proprietary Durasert sustained release technology combined with our differentiated C5 inhibitor offers the potential for a new, long-acting therapeutic for the treatment of eye diseases," Steve Uden, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer of Rallybio, said in the news release. "Importantly, it’s a potential treatment option that requires less frequent intraocular injections with comparable efficacy that could provide a greatly improved alternative for patients. The use of C5 inhibitors for the treatment of eye disease has shown great promise, and we are excited to initiate this research in the hopes of improving the lives of patients suffering from eye diseases, such as geographic atrophy,”