Resolvyx presents new data on RX-10001 for corneal herpes simplex virus infection at ARVO 2010

Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the leading resolvin therapeutics company, today announced the presentation of data on its novel resolvins for the treatment of both ocular surface diseases and retinal diseases at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, being held May 2-6, 2010.

“These new findings further expand our understanding of the potential for resolvins to treat both corneal and retinal eye diseases, based on the unique ability of resolvins to naturally inhibit key inflammatory processes, preserve the integrity of eye tissue and promote tissue repair”

Resolvyx and its collaborators presented new data on one of the company's lead products, RX-10001, the endogenous resolvin E1 (RvE1), in a corneal model of herpes simplex virus infection. Herpes simplex virus infection is the most common cause of corneal blindness. Administered topically twice a day as a prodrug during infection, RX-10001 was shown to significantly reduce keratitis and formation of new blood vessels in the cornea, the two sequelae of herpes infection that are the cause of impaired vision and blindness. Further studies on the mechanism revealed that RX-10001 reduced both migration of leukocytes into the cornea, as well as dampening the formation of proinflammatory cytokines.

In a second study, Resolvyx and its collaborators evaluated RX-10001 in corneal cells exposed to a hyperosmolar environment, a common cause of corneal immune activation in dry eye patients. In this model system, treatment with RX-10001 prevented loss of tight junction function as a measure of preserved corneal barrier function and integrity. Another resolvin, RX-10045, has successfully completed a Phase 2 trial in patients with chronic dry eye syndrome.

A third study reported results from an animal model of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Treatment with the preclinical development candidate RX-20001, the endogenous protectin NPD1, reduced microglial activation in the retinas of treated animals. The reduction in activated microglia was associated with a reduction in the formation of new pathological blood vessels, which is a major pathophysiological characteristic of wet AMD. The data suggest that NPD1 may improve association between perivascular cells and endothelial cells to stabilize new endothelial cells, leading to reduced vessel formation.

"These new findings further expand our understanding of the potential for resolvins to treat both corneal and retinal eye diseases, based on the unique ability of resolvins to naturally inhibit key inflammatory processes, preserve the integrity of eye tissue and promote tissue repair," said Per Gjorstrup, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals. "Following our recent successful Phase 2 study in patients with chronic dry eye with RX-10045, we are very encouraged by these new data suggesting the broad clinical potential of resolvins beyond dry eye."

SOURCE Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals