Oculex, Allergan to Collaborate on Intraocular Drug Development

Oculex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA), a privately held company engaged in the development of novel intraocular pharmaceuticals, and Allergan Inc. (Irvine, CA) have entered into a research agreement to formulate intraocular drug delivery systems (DDS) containing therapeutic Allergan compounds. These formulations will target diseases that affect the back of the eye, an area previously inaccessible to sustained drug therapy.

Under terms of the agreement, Allergan will receive an option to acquire an exclusive license to DDS formulations made using Allergan's proprietary compounds. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The back of the eye houses the retina, the sensory part of the eye that converts images from the environment into electrical impulses necessary for vision. Diseases affecting the retina include glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, all of which cause severe visual deficits, including blindness. An estimated 40% of eye diseases affect the back of the eye.

Oculex' proprietary DDS Technology can deliver sustained-release therapeutic agents for programmed periods of time, enabling the company to create new drugs that have the ability to be delivered intraocularly (directly inside the eye). DDS systems are completely biodegradable and are naturally broken down and absorbed by the body.

Oculex Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel ophthalmic pharmaceuticals for the treatment and prevention of major eye diseases.

For more information: Jerry B. Gin, President, Oculex Pharmaceuticals Inc., 639 North Pastoria Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Tel: 408-481-0424. Fax: 408-481-0662.

Edited by Jim Pomager