GrayBug, Aerie Pharmaceuticals deal

The companies will apply GrayBug’s polymer-based delivery technology to Aerie’s AR-13154, which is in preclinical testing to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AR-13154 is an inhibitor of rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK), Janus kinase-2 (JAK-2) and platelet derived growth factor B ( PDGFB; PDGF2).

The deal also allows Aerie to evaluate the technology for the sustained delivery of the active ingredient in Rhopressa. The company’s dual inhibitor of Rho kinase and the norepinephrine transporter is in Phase III testing to treat intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients. ...