Qlaris Bio initiates trials for potassium channel modulator therapy in glaucoma patients
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Key takeaways:
- The Osprey and Apteryx trials will assess QLS-111, a potassium channel modulator, in patients with glaucoma.
- The drug targets episcleral venous pressure.
Qlaris Bio announced the initiation and dosing of two phase 2 trials aimed at assessing QLS-111, a therapy for lowering intraocular pressure by targeting episcleral venous pressure, or EVP, in patients with glaucoma.
The ATP-sensitive potassium channel modulator is designed to reduce IOP by targeting EVP and distal outflow resistance, according to a press release No current medications directly address distal outflow or EVP, according to the release.
“Despite the number of therapies currently available to clinicians, there remains a critical unmet need for new drugs that target unique parameters within IOP regulation with a strong safety profile,” Barbara Wirostko, MD, FARVO, chief medical officer of Qlaris, said in the release. “With a novel mechanism of action that targets EVP, as well as early data demonstrating it may be used in combination with existing treatments, QLS-111 has the potential to make a significant impact.”
In the Osprey study, researchers will assess the optimal dose of QLS-111 compared with vehicle alone in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
In the Apteryx trial, researchers will measure the additive IOP-lowering efficacy of QLS-111 in combination with latanoprost compared with latanoprost alone, according to the release. The trial will include patients aged 12 years or older with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are currently on latanoprost.
“We really don't have a drug that targets the distal outflow, specifically the episcleral venous pressure, so I'm really looking forward to the potential that we have a drug that can target the episcleral venous outflow and lower the pressure even more,” Shan Lin, MD, co-research director at the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco, told Healio in an email.
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