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Novel Orally-Active Plasma Kallikrein Inhibitors for Diabetic Retinopathy

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 2R44EY019629-04
Agency Tracking Number: R44EY019629
Amount: $1,359,943.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: NEI
Solicitation Number: PA10-050
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
1456 Fourth St., Unit C
BERKELEY, CA -
United States
DUNS: 624362419
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 TAMIE CHILCOTE
 (415) 596-7660
 tamie.chilcote@activesitepharma.com
Business Contact
 TAMIE CHILCOTE
Phone: (415) 596-7660
Email: tamie.chilcote@activesitepharma.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): There are nearly 24 million people in the U.S. who suffer from diabetes and all are at risk for developing diabetic macular edema (DME), a vision-threatening retinal complication of diabetes that is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults. Current prevalence of DME in the U.S. is estimated to be between 1.2 - 2.1 million. Increased retinal vascular permeability (RVP) to plasma proteins and fluid, resulting from breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier, leads to a build-up of fluid in the central portion of the retina - the macula - and the development of DME. The serine protease plasma kallikrein (PK) has been recently implicated as a pathological mediator of increased RVP in diabetes. In work carried out in phase I and phase II, ActiveSite has developed novel potent and selective PK inhibitors that reduce pathological RVP induced in clinically relevant rodent models of hypertension and diabetes following systemic, non-ocular administration. Based on efficacy and safety studies carried out in phase II, a lead PK inhibitor has been identified that has been shown to be effective in lowering pathological RVP following daily oral dosing at a moderate daily dose level. Repeat-dose range-finding toxicology studiesin rats with the lead compound resulted in dose- proportional drug exposure, and, importantly, did not result in detectable adverse effects on any parameter at the highest dose tested, a dose that resulted in daily exposure to the active compound gt40-foldhigher than that seen at the efficacious dose, predictive of a high therapeutic index in the clinic. Based on the efficacy and preliminary safety assessments, the specific aims of this competitive phase II renewal application are to carry out FDA-requiredsafety and toxicology studies with the lead PK inhibitor, studies that once completed successfully, would allow for the compilation and filing of an IND application with the FDA for initiating first-in-human Phase I clinical trials for oral treatment forDME. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This phase II project proposes that inhibition of the serine protease plasma kallikrein (PK), would have significant therapeutic impact in reducing diabetic macular edema (DME), the major vision-threatening complication of diabetes. It seeks to carry out FDA-required safety and toxicology studies with an orally active lead PK inhibitor, studies that once completed successfully, would allow for the compilation and filing of an IND application with the FDA for initiating first-in-human Phase I clinical trials for oral treatment for DME.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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