Glaucoma is an eye condition in which fluid pressure builds up within the eye affecting optic nerves. If not treated, a Glaucoma patient might lose partial vision or even go blind. The disease mostly occurs in older adults and cannot be cured. However, it can be prevented if treated in the early stage.

Several pharma companies are now developing concrete therapy, in order to eradicate this disease. Annexon Biosciences recently made some strides by announcing positive results from the Phase 1b dose-ranging clinical study assesses ANX007, an anti-C1q antibody, in patients with Glaucoma.

For the record, ANX007 is an investigational monoclonal antibody Fab (antigen-binding fragment) created for intravitreal administration.

According to reliable sources, ANX007 showed well-tolerated results in full target inhibition and engagement of C1q in the eye for a minimum of four weeks, accompanying a single intravitreal treatment.

Speaking on the development, Jeffrey L. Goldberg, M.D., Member of Scientific Advisory Board, Annexon, said that the inhibition of C1q could offer neuroprotective gain by avoiding the unusual loss of functioning synapses that damages the retina.

Goldberg added that there is a substantial requirement to advance novel neuroprotective therapies which can reduce the damage to the optic nerve, avoiding the chance of vision loss in patients suffering from Glaucoma or any other ophthalmic diseases.

As for Sanjay Keswani, Chief Medical Officer, Annexon, the company is delighted with ANX007’s safety and tolerability. Moreover, based on this positive data, the company’s preclinical data and understanding of C1q biology will tremendously benefit ANX007, taking it to the advanced later-stage clinical studies for many ophthalmic diseases such as geographic atrophy.

Annexon has also made some significant advancement last year when it announced that it had secured $75 million from its Series C funding round, that was led by Bain Capital Life Sciences.

Sources cite that the funding saw active participation from new and existing investors, such as Blackstone Life Sciences, NEA, Satter Investment Management and Novartis Venture Fund and was pivotal for the advancement of the Annexon’s clinical trials.

Source Credit: https://www.annexonbio.com/news/october-9-2019/