TME Pharma N.V. and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) announced the continuation of their collaboration through the signing of an option framework agreement. The agreement aims to advance the development of TME Pharma's NOX-E36 anti-CCL2 RNA aptamer for ophthalmic indications, including glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) and also conditions involving fibrosis and inflammation in the back of the eye. TME Pharma will lead the commercial discussions, streamlining engagement with potential investors and licensing partners interested in advancing NOX-E36's development in ophthalmology.
Through this collaboration, TME Pharma and SERI aim to progress NOX-E36 from preclinical research into clinical studies, leveraging their combined expertise to accelerate development. The near-term financial commitments include TME Pharma funding preclinical local ocular tolerance studies, while SERI will seek grants to fund and conduct the Phase 1b clinical study. Moreover, SERI will provide its deep expertise in ophthalmology research, pharmacological testing in animal models, and clinical evaluation, while TME Pharma will bring its prior clinical, regulatory and manufacturing experience and documentation as well as drug supply for both preclinical and clinical studies and will manage new intellectual property (IP).
TME Pharma and SERI have already filed patent applications covering use of NOX-E36 in glaucoma filtation surgery and other ophthalmic diseases1 and will continue working together to secure joint IP protection for any patentable innovations arising from this research.
