Product Candidates
We are committed to discovering and developing drug candidates with the potential to make meaningful impact on the lives of patients with blinding eye diseases and other eye disorders.
ACU-4429
The lead compound in our VCM program, ACU-4429, is being evaluated for the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a degenerative disease of the eye that affects the part of the retina responsible for fine visual acuity and color vision. Acucela launched the ENVISION (Evaluating a Novel VISION treatment for AMD) Clarity Trial, a Phase 2 clinical trial of ACU-4429 in patients with dry AMD, in January 2010. In March 2010, ACU-4429 was granted Fast Track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of dry AMD. The FDA Fast Track programs are designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new drugs that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. There is no approved treatment for dry AMD currently on the market. For more information, please refer to the ENVISION Clarity Trial Website.
Rebamipide
Rebamipide ophthalmic suspension is a product candidate for dry eye, a condition that affects over 20 million Americans. Rebamipide increases the level of mucin in the conjunctiva and cornea. It is expected to be effective in dry eye treatment by stabilizing the tear film and leading to the improvement of the corneal-conjunctival damage associated with the condition. Rebamipide is in clinical development in the United States.
OPA-6566
OPA-6566 is a novel compound discovered by Ako Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical. The compound, an adenosine A2a receptor agonist, has a new mechanism of action not seen in conventional glaucoma medications. The compound has demonstrated the ability to lower intraocular pressure by stimulating aqueous humor outflow via trabecular meshwork through an activation of adenosine A2a receptor. Otsuka and Acucela are co-developing OPA-6566 for glaucoma in the United States.