Wincal Biopharm Presented Preclinical Eye Drop Data at ARVO 2024

PharmAbcine, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company (traded on KOSDAQ: 208340), has made headlines at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2024 (ARVO 2024), the world’s largest ophthalmology conference. The company's U.S. subsidiary, Wincal Biopharm, Inc. (WincalBio), presented groundbreaking preclinical data on their novel eye drop formulation, capturing significant attention from the conference attendees.

WincalBio introduced a promising alternative to conventional intravitreal injections for delivering therapeutic antibodies into the eye. Their proprietary Ocular Penetration Carrier (OPC) screening platform demonstrated, through animal studies, that eye drop formulations can effectively deliver currently marketed therapeutic antibodies to various parts of the eye, including the vitreous, retina, and choroid. This development suggests a future where patients could avoid invasive injections and administer treatments conveniently at home via eye drops.

The OPC screening platform is designed to find suitable carrier-antibody complexes that facilitate the transportation of therapeutic agents into the eye. This approach aims to enhance patient comfort and compliance by eliminating the need for needle-based injections. At ARVO 2024, WincalBio highlighted the application of this platform to anti-VEGF treatments like Eylea (aflibercept) and Beovu (brolucizumab). In a laser-induced choroid neovascularization (CNV) mouse model, the OPC eye drop formulations showed significant efficacy in reducing lesion size and vascular leakage, comparable to that of traditional intravitreal injections.

The announcement drew widespread interest and enthusiasm from ARVO 2024 participants. Dr. Venice Chiueh, the Project Leader and Director at WincalBio, emphasized the importance of developing eye drop formulations to improve patient convenience and reduce the reluctance associated with current treatment methods. Dr. Chiueh expressed optimism about the success of upcoming primate efficacy studies and future clinical trials.

Dr. TaeWeon Lee, Chief Scientific Officer at WincalBio, highlighted the broader implications of this research. He noted that the promising results from the OPC screening platform are likely to attract venture capital investment and foster corporate partnerships with biopharma companies involved in intravitreal therapeutics or planning to launch biosimilars. Dr. Lee also mentioned the potential for extending this innovative technology beyond anti-VEGF antibodies to treat various eye diseases, thereby making treatments more accessible and convenient for patients.

PharmAbcine's breakthrough in non-invasive eye treatments represents a significant step forward in ophthalmology. By leveraging the OPC screening platform, the company aims to transform the landscape of eye disease therapy, potentially replacing invasive procedures with user-friendly, at-home solutions. This advancement not only promises to enhance patient compliance and comfort but also paves the way for new therapeutic approaches in the field of vision care.