Ocular Angiogenesis-Translating Preclinical Indications to Successful Clinical Developments

Anderson, David Q. Ph.D., M.B.A.

• This review, which includes highlights from IBC's premiere conference Ocular Angiogenesis, was written by David Q. Anderson, Ph.D., M.B.A., a healthcare M&A specialist at Covington Associates, Boston, MA. He may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].

Reprints of this article are available. For more information visit www.drugandmarket.com/journal and click the "Reprints" link.

Drug & Market Development 15(4):p 468-474, April 2004.

• The importance of angiogenesis in the promotion of tumor growth and metastasis has fueled considerable research into the mechanism of new blood vessel growth and the potential to intervene in the process to treat disease; the market impact of anti-angiogenesis drugs was recently reviewed in Drug & Market Development (2003;14[9]:264-268). A significant portion of angiogenesis research is applicable to ocular diseases.

• This article provides critical updates on the progress toward developing anti-angiogenic therapies for ocular disease. New compounds are entering late-stage trials, and it is likely that by this time next year some may have received FDA approval for their primary indication.

• Potential therapies ranging from shark extracts to gene therapy are proving efficacious in the treatment of ocular disease through multiple mechanisms of action, but all are rooted in angiogenesis. As research continues into the applicability of anti-angiogenic compounds in both oncology and ocular disease, there is significant potential that the devastating impact of vision impairment and loss on individuals will soon be alleviated.