R & D

Alacrity’s Approach to Treating Glaucoma: ALTY-0601

Increased IOP is frequently the result of the over-production or improper drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. In glaucoma, it has been demonstrated that there is an increased expression of a high molecular weight glycoprotein called fibronectin. Accumulation of excess fibronectin has been demonstrated to inhibit this outflow of aqueous humor from the eye by clogging the trabecular meshwork, the thin, porous sheath of tissue through which aqueous humor drains from the eye. In vivo and in vitro models demonstrate that a small sythethetic peptide molecule, the active ingredient in ALTY-0601, competitively binds the cell receptor for fibronectin. Thus the binding of fibronectin and the clogging of the trabecular meshwork is prevented, and aqueous humor outflow remains unobstructed. Two proof of concept pilot studies on the safety and efficacy of ALTY-0601 in patients with primary open angle glaucoma were conducted at the Helmholtz Eye Institute in Moscow. We believe that the results of these pilot studies suggest that ALTY-0601 safely and effectively reduces IOP in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.