Epiretinal Membrane

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UNITY Biotechnology, Inc. (“UNITY”) [NASDAQ: UBX], a biotechnology company developing therapeutics to slow, halt or reverse diseases of aging, today announced that it will host an in-person and virtual event for investors and analysts on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. ET in New York, NY. The event will feature presentations from prominent ophthalmology key opinion leaders (KOLs) and company management. UNITY Biotechnology Ophthalmology Day Agenda Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024Time: 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. ETLocation: Park Terrace Hotel, New York, NY (with simultaneous webcast)Registration and Webcast Link: https://lifescievents.com/event/unitybiotechnology/ Welcome and Introductions: Anirvan Ghosh, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, UNITY BiotechnologySenolytic Therapeutic Hypothesis: Mike Sapieha, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, UNITY BiotechnologyUBX1325 Clinical Development Plan – BEHOLD and ASPIRE studies in DME: Robert Bhisitkul, M.D., Ph.D., UCSF School of MedicineRetina Expert Roundtable: Arshad Khanani, M.D., MA, FASRS, Sierra Eye Associates, University of Nevada Reno School of MedicineDante Pieramici, M.D., California Retina ConsultantsAlicia Tozier, Chief Strategy Officer, UNITY Biotechnology Live Q&A The event will focus on UNITY’s ongoing Phase 2b ASPIRE study evaluating foselutoclax (UBX1325) head-to-head against aflibercept in diabetic macular edema (DME). Twenty-four-week safety and efficacy data are expected in the first quarter of 2025, and 36-week data are expected in the second quarter of 2025. Retina experts will address the evolving therapeutic landscape and the potential of UBX1325 to address unmet needs in DME. For virtual attendees, the live webcasts of the presentations will be accessible through the “Investors & Media” section of the company’s website, www.unitybiotechnology.com, under “Events & Presentations.” Archived replays will be available for 90 days. Featured Retina Experts Robert Bhisitkul, M.D., Ph.D.Robert Bhisitkul, M.D., Ph.D., is an ophthalmologist and retina specialist at UCSF Health who provides medical and laser treatments for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. He also performs macular hole and macular pucker surgeries (conditions that cause blurred or distorted vision), retinal detachment and complications of diabetic eye disease. Dr. Bhisitkul recruits patients to participate in UCSF clinical trials of novel therapies for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and also for studies on long-term outcomes for treatments such as surgically implantable devices that deliver medication. He has published more than 60 papers in clinical and scientific journals. Arshad M. Khanani, M.D., MA, FASRSArshad M. Khanani, M.D., MA, FASRS, is a Managing Partner, Director of Clinical Research, and Director of Fellowship at Sierra Eye Associates and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Dr. Khanani founded the clinical research department at Sierra Eye Associates, which is now one of the leading clinical research centers in the country. He has served as a principal investigator for over 100 clinical trials and has been a top enroller in the country for multiple Phase 1-3 trials. In addition, Dr. Khanani was the first to perform surgical procedures in multiple surgical clinical trials dealing with sustained delivery and gene therapy. He has published over 75 scientific publications and is a frequent guest speaker at national and international meetings. Dante Pieramici, M.D.Dante Pieramici, M.D. is currently a managing partner of the California Retina Consultants and a member of the Medical Leadership Board of the Retina Consultants of America. As the Medical Director of Clinical Research at California Retina Consultants, Dr. Pieramici has served as the principal or sub investigator, reading center investigator or advisor for over 100 clinical trials. His research has focused primarily on new surgical and pharmacologic treatments for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic related eye diseases. He has served as a consultant for numerous biotech companies, helping to design, monitor and evaluate clinical trial results for retinal diseases. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed research papers and book chapters on retinal diseases and has served as editor for the text, Ocular Trauma: Principles and Practice. Dr. Pieramici currently serves as President of the California Retina Research Foundation and serves as a long-time board member at S.E.E International. About UBX1325UBX1325 is an investigational compound being studied in retinal diseases, including DME, and is not approved for any use in any country. UBX1325 is a potent small molecule inhibitor of BCL-xL, a member of the BCL-2 family of apoptosis regulating proteins. UBX1325 is designed to inhibit the function of proteins that senescent cells rely on for survival. The Phase 2 BEHOLD study in patients with DME demonstrated that a single injection of UBX1325 resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in mean BCVA through 48 weeks compared to sham treatment. In preclinical studies, UNITY has demonstrated that targeting BCL-xL with UBX1325 preferentially eliminated senescent cells from diseased tissue while sparing cells in healthy tissue. UNITY’s goal with UBX1325 is to transformationally improve real-world outcomes for patients with retinal disease. About UNITYUNITY is developing a new class of therapeutics to slow, halt, or reverse diseases of aging. UNITY’s current focus is on creating medicines to selectively eliminate or modulate senescent cells and thereby provide transformative benefit in age-related ophthalmologic and neurologic diseases. More information is available at www.unitybiotechnology.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn. Media ContactInizio Evoke CommsKatherine SmithKatherine.Smith@inizioevoke.com Investor ContactLifeSci Advisors, LLCJoyce Allairejallaire@lifesciadvisors.com Source: Unity Biotechnology, Inc.

ZUG, Switzerland, Sept. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oculis Holding AG (Nasdaq: OCS) (“Oculis”), a global biopharmaceutical company purposefully driven to save sight and improve eye care, in collaboration with EURETINA, today announced the winner of the Inaugural Ramin Tadayoni Award. The Ramin Tadayoni Award was established in memory of Oculis’ Chief Scientific Officer and a world-renowned retina specialist in order to pay a lasting tribute to Professor Tadayoni’s legacy, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. The first recipient of the award is Andrea Govetto, M.D., Ph.D. who is developing a computational model of fluid flow and retinal tissue deformation in macular edema. Anat Loewenstein, M.D., President of EURETINA, added: “I would like to extend my thanks to all the applicants. We received over 50 robust and highly competitive submissions and on behalf of EURETINA, I would like to congratulate Dr. Govetto as the first recipient of this prestigious award. Dr. Govetto’s innovative research is focused on fluid flow and retinal tissue deformation in macular edema and is therefore a perfect tribute to Prof. Tadayoni’s achievement and contributions.” Riad Sherif, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Oculis, commented: “We are honored to be part of the Ramin Tadayoni Award in partnership with EURETINA and wish to congratulate the winner, Dr. Govetto, a rising ophthalmologist dedicated to further advancing research for retinal diseases and improving patient care. We believe that by supporting this award and funding high-quality retina research, we will be able to honor our friend and colleague Prof. Ramin Tadayoni’s legacy.” Dr. Govetto is a vitreoretinal surgeon at the Oftalmico-Fatebenefratelli Hospital, ASST-Fatebenefratelli-Sacco in Milan, Italy. His research is focused on the pathology of the vitreoretinal interface and retinal detachment, contributing to the understanding of the pathophysiology of lamellar macular hole, epiretinal membrane, and tractional abnormalities of the central fovea, for which he was recognized with numerous awards. Dr. Govetto specialized in ophthalmology in Spain, completed his clinical and research fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the Stein Eye Institute of the University of California Los Angeles, and a surgical fellowship at the Bristol Eye Hospital in Bristol, U.K. He received his M.D. from the University of Udine, Italy and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Alcalà, Madrid, Spain. The annual award of €30,000 for research support, with an additional €5,000 for the awardee, recognizes the future generation of talented ophthalmologists who have demonstrated outstanding potential in the field of retina research. The award was presented to Dr. Govetto by Anat Loewenstein, M.D., President of EURETINA, at the opening ceremony of the EURETINA congress taking place September 19-22, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. About Oculis Oculis is a global biopharmaceutical company (Nasdaq: OCS; XICE: OCS) purposefully driven to save sight and improve eye care. Oculis’ highly differentiated pipeline comprises multiple innovative product candidates in development. It includes OCS-01, a topical eye drop candidate for diabetic macular edema (DME) and for the treatment of inflammation and pain following cataract surgery; OCS-02 (licaminlimab), a topical biologic anti-TNFα eye drop candidate for dry eye disease (DED) and for non-infectious anterior uveitis; and OCS-05, a neuroprotective candidate for acute optic neuritis (AON). Headquartered in Switzerland and with operations in the U.S. and Iceland, Oculis’ goal is to improve the health and quality of life of patients worldwide. The company is led by an experienced management team with a successful track record and is supported by leading international healthcare investors. For more information, please visit: www.oculis.com Oculis ContactsMs. Sylvia Cheung, CFOsylvia.cheung@oculis.com Investor & Media Relations LifeSci AdvisorsCorey Davis, Ph.D.cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com1-212-915-2577

LA JOLLA, Calif., March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announced it has received a Notice of Allowance from the Japan Patent Office for a pending patent application which covers MN-166 (ibudilast) for the treatment of macular injury associated with progressive multiple sclerosis. Once issued, this patent is expected to expire no earlier than October 2039. The allowed claims cover the use of MN-166 (ibudilast) for treating macular injury associated with progressive multiple sclerosis and for decreasing macular volume loss associated with progressive multiple sclerosis. The allowed claims specifically cover both primary progressive multiple sclerosis and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The allowed claims cover oral administration including tablets, capsules, granules, microbead dosage forms, and liquid dosage forms. The allowed claims cover a wide range of doses of MN-166 (ibudilast), a range of different dosing frequencies, and a range of different treatment periods. Kazuko Matsuda, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of MediciNova, Inc., commented, “We are very pleased to receive a notice of this new patent allowance in Japan and we believe it could increase the potential value of MN-166. The potential of MN-166 in ophthalmic neurodegenerative diseases has been demonstrated previously by positive data from a glaucoma animal model study and a retinal damage animal model study. Previously, we reported positive Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) results from the SPRINT-MS Phase 2b trial of MN-166 in progressive multiple sclerosis. All OCT measures showed less loss of retinal tissue for MN-166 compared to placebo. Similar patents have been granted in the U.S., Europe, and China.” About MN-166 (ibudilast) MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and is also in development for glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudilast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). About MediciNova MediciNova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad late-stage pipeline of novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on two compounds, MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), with multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety pro MediciNova has 11 programs in clinical development. MediciNova’s lead asset, MN-166 (ibudilast), is currently in Phase 3 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and is Phase 3-ready for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). MN-166 (ibudilast) is also being evaluated in Phase 2 trials in Long COVID and substance dependence. MN-001 (tipelukast) was evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and a second Phase 2 trial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is ongoing. MediciNova has a strong track record of securing investigator-sponsored clinical trials funded through government grants. Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by, or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," “considering,” “planning” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029 and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and its subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements. INVESTOR CONTACT: Geoff O'Brien Vice President MediciNova, Inc. info@medicinova.com