In December 2020, Zhaoke (Hong Kong) Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Limited ("Zhaoke Hong Kong" or the "Company") and PanOptica, Inc. ("PAN"), a U.S.-based ophthalmology-focused pharmaceutical company developing a topical eye drop for the treatment of sight-threatening eye diseases caused by abnormal or leaky blood vessels, entered into an exclusive license from PAN to develop and commercialize PAN-90806 in the ophthalmology area in Greater China, South Korea and certain other Southeast Asian countries. Both parties plan to collaborate in the development of PAN-90806 in wet age-related macular degeneration ("wAMD"), and also potentially in other neovascular eye diseases, like diabetic retinopathy.
wAMD is the most common cause of blindness in developed countries and accounts for 8.7% of all blindness worldwide. It is’caused by abnormal blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) and fluid buildup in the back of the eye, leading to vision loss. The current standard treatment of wAMD targets the angiogenesis factor – vascular endothelial growth factor ("VEGF") and is administered via intravitreal injection ("IVT"). However, IVT can cause complications and discomfort for patients and create extra burden for caretakers to escort them for the procedure, resulting in low adherence, loss of follow-up and unnecessary deterioration of the disease. Recently developed therapies attempt to overcome this issue by having a lower frequency of IVT administration (from once a month to once every few months). However, the IVT procedure remains a key hurdle in the management of this chronic progressive disease. Through its unique administration as an eye drop, PAN-90806 from PAN represents a potential breakthrough in the treatment of wAMD.
PAN-90806 is a once-daily topically applied small molecule VEGF receptor 2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor and reduces vascular leakage. A specially designed patented formulation allows PAN-90806 to reach the back of the eye via the choriocapillaris circulation for its therapeutic effects while reducing its effective concentration in the front of the eye to avoid potential off-target adverse effects. A Phase I/II clinical trial conducted by PAN in the U.S. and Europe showed signs of therapeutic efficacies of PAN-90806 as indicated by improvement in visual acuity and reduction in retinal thickness. A bridging Phase II trial is being planned in China to confirm and extend these results.
The Company believes that PAN-90806 represents a potential game changer in the management of wAMD. VEGF inhibition has been demonstrated to be efficacious in the treatment of wAMD in multiple clinical trials. If approved, it will bring an unprecedented level of convenience and provide a less invasive treatment alternative for patients as a maintenance therapy, reducing the frequency of intravitreal injections and other associated treatment burden of mainstream anti-VEGF therapies while maintaining visual stability. It is expected to significantly reduce treatment discontinuation, thereby slowing the underlying disease progression through improved patient comfort, acceptance, convenience and compliance.
ABOUT PANOPTICA, INC.
PAN is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a topical eye drop for the treatment of sight-threatening eye diseases caused by abnormal or leaky blood vessels. These neovascular eye diseases include wAMD, the leading cause of blindness in the western world, and diabetic retinopathy. PAN is backed by highly credible venture companies, including Third Rock Ventures and founding investor SV Health Investors.
