BRIEF — Oxurion inks eye disease deal with Beta

Belgian ophthalmology specialist Oxurion has entered into a strategic research collaboration with Australian company Beta Therapeutics to develop new heparanase inhibitors for the treatment of retinal disorders with large unmet medical needs such as dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Oxurion will have an exclusive option to license in the heparanase inhibitor program and will pay an undisclosed upfront payment to Beta, which is eligible to receive a payment upon exercizing the licensing option, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as royalties on net sales on the products developed under the partnership.

Heparanase is an endoglycosidase playing an important role in modifying the extracellular matrix and in inflammatory processes. Over-expression of heparanase occurs under pathological conditions resulting in detrimental changes in the extracellular matrix and tissue micro-environment.

In the retina, heparanase has been implicated in diabetic retinopathy and potentially in AMD pathogenesis.

Patrik De Haes, chief executive of Oxurion, which was formerly known as ThromboGenics, said: “We are very excited about this new collaboration with Beta Therapeutics.

“As our diabetic macular edema clinical programs are progressing well, we continue to leverage our unique knowhow and expertise for exploring, identifying and eventually acquiring innovative molecules to treat diseases in the back-of-the-eye with the highest unmet medical need such as dry AMD.”