technology

Aerie's innovative glaucoma pipeline includes the lead clinical product AR-12286, a selective Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by improving outflow of ocular fluid via the trabecular pathway. This class of compounds acts directly on diseased tissue, the trabecular meshwork (TM), which undergoes pathological changes in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. An altered TM morphology eventually restricts the drainage of fluid from the eye, which causes an increase in IOP and ultimately damage to the optic nerve. ROCK inhibitors return the TM to a state that allows normal drainage of ocular fluid and thereby reduces pressure in the eye.

AR-12286 is a first-in-class product that has demonstrated an excellent safety, efficacy and tolerability profile in previous Phase 2 clinical studies with once-daily administration in a topical formulation (eye drop). Additional Phase 2b studies are being conducted in 2011 to further inform the differentiated product profile. Phase 3 clinical studies will begin in 2012.

Aerie is also advancing a fixed-dose combination of AR-12286 plus a prostaglandin agonist towards clinical studies. The additive efficacy of both components in a single, once-daily eye drop has produced excellent lowering of eye pressure in pre-clinical studies.

AR-13324 is an IND candidate that lowers IOP through a unique dual mechanism of action. It is the first of a novel class of potential glaucoma drugs discovered at Aerie and offers superior IOP lowering efficacy with a very long duration of effect with once daily dosing and a good tolerability profile.

A proprietary latanoprost ocular drug insert that allows long-term drug delivery and control of intraocular pressure (IOP) is also being advanced to clinical studies. This is a platform technology and has comparable IOP lowering to traditional latanoprost eye drops.