Future of ophthalmic research to be influenced by anti-sense technology
Date of publication: April 13, 2010
The ophthalmic research industry has been given a major boost recently with the news that GlaxoSmithKline and Isis Pharma have announced a $1.5 billion collaboration (see this on our Partnering Scorecard) to license the Isis anti-sense drug discovery platform to develop therapies for ophthalmic diseases.
This collaboration will provide both GSK and Isis with the ability to strengthen their position within this therapeutic area, to target ophthalmic diseases in a manner that simply has not been possible previously.
It will certainly emphasise that research in the ophthalmic field, in particular rare and serious diseases, continues to remain a key target area within big pharma. It also enhances Isis' reputation and firmly establishes itself as a company who can successfully collaborate with big pharma on a regular basis.
This is highlighted with recent news that Pfizer has also announced a collaborative R&D and licensing agreement with Isis to develop anti-sense treatment for eye disease. The announcement with GSK also confirms that Alcon continues to be extremely active within the ophthalmic discovery field and follows the collaborative research and development announcements made in 2005 to pursue treatment for ophthalmic diseases with novel therapeutics.
If the anti-sense drug discovery platform approach proves to be successful, it could establish a long term collaborative relationship between Alcon and GSK, influencing the direction of future research within the ophthalmic field as well as producing a robust pipeline of much needed treatments for rare and serious ophthalmic disorders.
Tim Martin
April 2010