PolyActiva Completes Initial Clinical Trial With Latanoprost FA SR Ocular Implant for 6-Month Glaucoma Treatment

PolyActiva announced it has successfully completed its phase I clinical study for its lead candidate, the Latanoprost FA SR Ocular Implant.

The device was well tolerated in all 8 patients with no significant safety findings. The study also showed that the implant persists for the entire 6-month treatment period after which the implant biodegrades completely over 6 weeks. This biodegradation profile should enable repeat dosing with the implant.

The Latanoprost FA SR Ocular Implant is designed to substitute for daily drop therapy by providing sustained treatment from a single implant administration over a 6-month period to treat glaucoma. 

Up to 46 percent of patients do not remember to use their eye drops or administer them poorly. Adherence to daily drop therapy is critical to slow progression of glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness. ^[1]

The Latanoprost FA SR Ocular Implant is designed to provide a constant daily therapeutic dose of latanoprost free acid (the active ingredient of a commonly prescribed glaucoma eye-drop, Xalatan) for 6-months. It is administered in a simple procedure at an ophthalmologist’s office using PolyActiva’s bespoke administration device.

“Our implant represents a significant advance for the treatment of glaucoma. Our goal is to improve the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) by ensuring a constant daily dose of drug for the entire treatment period and offering the opportunity for repeated use,”Russell Tait, CEO of PolyActiva, said in a company news release. “Furthermore, the implant should reduce the frequency of conjunctival hyperemia and corneal surface disease side effects often seen with drop therapy.”

PolyActiva has now initiated a phase 2 dose ranging study at nine clinical trial sites in Australia. The study is designed to identify the minimum effective dose of latanoprost free acid and confirm the safety of the implant.

PolyActiva is based in Melbourne, Australia, having received venture capital funding from Brandon Capital’s Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) and Yuuwa Capital.