Developing topical medicines to restore eyelid gland function in dry eye disease
Dry eye disease causes burning, irritation and blurred vision when tears fail to protect the eye surface. Dysfunction of the eyelid’s oil-producing glands can make tears evaporate too quickly. Patients need treatments that improve gland function and provide sustained control of symptoms.
26 Therapeutics is developing a topical medicine designed to restore the eyelid glands that protect the eye. By supporting the tear film’s natural oil layer, its approach aims to reduce evaporation and improve comfort for people with dry eye disease.
What stands out about 26 Therapeutics
Co-founder Martin Petkovich built Cytochroma, acquired by OPKO in 2013 for $100M upfront in stock plus up to $190M in milestones.
Source ↗Preclinical studies of the CYP26B1-inhibitor programme restored meibomian gland function, increased tears and reduced corneal damage.
Source ↗adMare provided pre-seed capital plus medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, IP and operational support to form and develop 26 Therapeutics.
Source ↗Martin Petkovich brings more than 30 years of research on retinoic acid receptors and CYP26 enzymes at Queen’s University.
Source ↗Co-founder Jacob Rullo is a Queen’s University ophthalmology clinician-scientist researching ocular immunity and disease biomarkers.
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