InSite Vision Announces Expansion To Its Glaucoma Genetic Program
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 21, 1999--InSite Vision Incorporated (AMEX:ISV) today announced the signing of a glaucoma genetic research agreement with Claes Wadelius, MD, Ph.D. at Uppsala University, Sweden.
The agreement covers the investigation on the role of the TIGR gene in primary open angle glaucoma and exfoliative glaucoma patients in a Swedish population.
"This is part of our continuous effort to expand our glaucoma patient database for TIGR gene mutation screening to various ethnic groups worldwide," commented S. Kumar Chandrasekaran, Ph.D., InSite's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "More importantly, we believe this is the first time that a significant population of exfoliative glaucoma patients will be screened for TIGR gene mutations. The expansion into a secondary glaucoma, such as exfoliative glaucoma, could significantly expand the market for InSite's ISV-900 program."
Exfoliative glaucoma usually has a later age of onset (50-60) than primary open angle glaucoma and is more difficult to treat due to its high elevation of eye pressure and a poorer response to medication. It is a major public health problem in Northern European countries such as Sweden where approximately 20% of the population over 65 have the exfoliative syndrome and 30%-50% of them will develop glaucoma.
An earlier study by InSite's collaborators has shown that there is an over-expression of TIGR protein in the drainage system of the eye in exfoliative glaucoma patients. The over-expressed TIGR protein may plug up the drainage system, resulting in the buildup of eye pressure and optic nerve damage associated with glaucoma. The investigation could provide clues for the over-expression by looking for changes in the TIGR gene in these patients.
InSite's glaucoma treatment product ISV-205 is specifically designed to inhibit the production of the TIGR protein. Thus, ISV-205 is designed to treat the cause of the disease rather than the symptoms and could provide a treatment option for exfoliative glaucoma patients. In January 1999 InSite licensed ISV-205 to Pharmacia & Upjohn (P&U), who are responsible for continued clinical development of the product subsequent to the successful completion in June 1999 of InSite's Phase II clinical trial.
InSite Vision's ISV-900 program is designed to explore various uses of the TIGR gene and other glaucoma genes for glaucoma diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic development, and disease management.
This press release contains, among other things, certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future business performance of InSite Vision. Such statements entail a number of risks and uncertainties involving the results of pre-clinical and clinical studies and determinations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as the Risk Factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC filings including, but not limited to, its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.
CONTACT:
InSite Vision, Alameda
Sandra Heine, 510/865-8800
or
Core Communications Group, Inc.
Robert Ferri, 415/331-7003 (SF)
rferri@nextwavestocks.com
Joshua Z. Levine, 516/487-8322 (NY)
jzlevine@nextwavestocks.com |
