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Acucela’s oral DR formulation shows potential to reduce retinal thickness
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Oral emixustat hydrochloride reduced central subfield retinal thickness more than placebo in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, with and without macular edema, Acucela announced in a press release.
The randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial enrolled 24 subjects to receive placebo or the study drug, titrated up to 40 mg per day. Patients in the study group experienced a mean reduction in central subfield thickness of 48.1 µm (P = .0764), as well as a mean reduction in total macular volume (P = .0263), compared with placebo.
“We are thrilled to see these results for emixustat in the diabetic retinopathy population and are excited to advance the program,” Ryo Kubota, MD, PhD, chairman, president and CEO of Acucela, said in the release. “This proof of concept is exciting as it not only addresses an important unmet need but does so through oral administration, a first for the industry. We are now focused on securing the right strategic partner as we finalize our plans to advance our clinical program.”