CAMBRIDGE, MA, December 25, 2018 – Neuroptika today announced its initiation as a company to develop a novel therapeutic drug to protect and regenerate corneal nerves in ophthalmic diseases. Neuroptika is a spin out from Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, a privately held pharmaceutical company based in Osaka, Japan. Neuroptika will be headquartered in Cambridge Massachusetts and has raised ¥300M (USD $2.7M approx.) in seed funding.
NRO-1 is the lead compound for Neuroptika. In a nerve impairment model, NRO-1 accelerated nerve regeneration and led to the recovery of functional nerves and corneal sensitivity. NRO-1 is currently in a Phase 1 study with plans to advance to Phase 2 studies in patients with dry-eye disease and those needing post-LASIK care. NRO-1 is also being explored in glaucoma and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), since NRO-1 may also rescue degradation of nerves in retina.
“The opportunity to lead Neuroptika and the development of NRO-1 is incredibly exciting,” shared H. Timothy Min, Chief Executive Officer. “I look forward to building a world class team with the shared mission to improve patients’ lives by developing novel regenerative treatments.”
“While most dry-eye treatments focus on symptomatic therapy, NRO-1 is directed at the underlying cause of nerve degeneration in cornea,” stated Chiho Fukiage Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer. “Establishing Neuroptika, with worldwide rights for NRO-1 enables this novel nerve-rescue therapy to treat patients with ophthalmic diseases.”