Rho kinase inhibitor, "Ripasudil Hydrochloride Hydrate" IND application for Phase 2 clinical study in the United States Indication for Corneal Endothelial Diseases [Developmental code: K-321]

NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kowa Company Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan, President & CEO: Yoshihiro Miwa, hereafter referred to as "Kowa") has been developing "Ripasudil Hydrochloride Hydrate" (hereafter referred to as "this Substance"), a Rho kinase inhibitor, for the indication of corneal endothelial diseases (Developmental code: K-321). We have recently submitted an IND (Investigational New Drug) application to the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) on 30 August 2019 in order to commence a Phase 2 clinical study (hereinafter referred to as "this study") in the U.S.

This substance was launched in December 2014 in Japan (Brand name: GLANATEC^® ophthalmic solution 0.4%) as the world's first glaucoma drug with Rho kinase inhibitory activity, and it was approved in February 2019 in Korea. It has been suggested that this substance may affect kinases in the eye, and Kowa has been considering the possibility not only of glaucoma but also of other ophthalmic diseases. In this study, we will investigate the efficacy and safety in patients with corneal endothelial diseases.

Prior to the initiation of development, Kowa had already acquired an exclusive license from Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for a development of an ophthalmic solution for this disease.

• GLANATEC^® Ophthalmic Solution 0.4%

GLANATEC^® Ophthalmic Solution 0.4% includes this substance, which was licensed from D. Western Therapeutics Institute (DWTI) to Kowa, as an active ingredient, and lowers intraocular pressure by promoting discharge of aqueous humor through a main outflow via trabecular meshwork-Schlemm canal as a result of Rho kinase inhibition.

In clinical studies enrolling patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in Japan, GLANATEC^® Ophthalmic Solution 0.4% has been demonstrated to be effective in lowering intraocular pressure in both cases of mono-therapy and conjunctival therapy along with conventional treatment-glaucoma and ocular hypertension drugs.

• Corneal endothelial diseases

At present, only corneal transplantation is the choice for a treatment of severely vision-impaired corneal endothelial diseases, and development of effective therapeutic drugs is desired.

Media Contact:
Ian Mehr
Kowa Research Institute, Inc.
919-433-1600
[email protected]

SOURCE Kowa Company Ltd.