pSivida Announces Phase I/II Clinical Study Evaluating Bioerodible, Sustained Release Latanoprost Device in Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma

Drug delivery company pSivida Corp. PSDV today announced the commencement of a Phase I/II clinical trial studying a new bioerodible drug delivery implant for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The implant is designed to provide long-term, sustained release of latanoprost, the most commonly prescribed agent for reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma worldwide. The product candidate is a new, compact drug-delivery implant based on the Company's DurasertTM technology system. The implant is designed to be administered by an eye care professional in a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure; it is also designed to be injected into the subconjunctival space of the eye and to be bioerodible. The new study is a dose-escalating study designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the implant in patients with elevated intraocular pressure. If successful, pSivida plans to advance the product into a multi-center Phase II trial. Dr Paul Ashton, President and CEO of pSivida Corp., said, “We are extremely pleased that this first application of our new bioerodible drug-delivery technology has entered clinical trials. We look forward to advancing this new delivery system both in glaucoma and potentially in other applications as well.”