Can you provide a historical overview of EyePoint and its evolution?
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, originally known as Control Delivery Systems, was established with the aim of developing long-term drug release inserts for the eye. The company's first FDA-approved product was a sustained-release pellet for treating cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, particularly beneficial during the HIV epidemic in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Following several iterations and name changes the company shifted focus towards commercializing sustained release drug delivery products. By 2016, under its current name EyePoint, it transitioned into a commercial entity with a significant focus on a sustained release drug delivery system.
Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, particularly affecting our anti-inflammatory product used in cataract surgery, we persevered and are now focused on EYP-1901, a promising treatment for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
What is EYP-1901 and its target diseases?
EYP 1901 is a groundbreaking anti-VEGF sustained release drug delivery system aimed at treating wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein obstructions. These conditions are characterized by abnormally high levels of VEGF, leading to significant vision problems. Current treatments require frequent injections, posing a considerable burden on patients and healthcare systems. Our objective with EYP-1901 is to offer a more manageable treatment option, potentially lasting six to nine months, thereby reducing the need for these repetitive treatments.
Can EYP-1901 provide a permanent cure for the diseases in question?
While EYP-1901 represents a significant advancement in treatment, it does not offer a permanent cure. The complexity of diseases like wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy lies in their multifaceted causes, which are still not fully understood.
Our treatments aim to address the consequences of these diseases rather than their root causes. However, ongoing research and genetic studies offer hope for future curative therapies, although these may take considerable time to develop due to the chronic nature of these conditions.
How does EyePoint Pharma address uveitis – a notoriously difficult disease to treat?
EyePoint Pharma has developed YUTIQ, a treatment for uveitis, which is a corticosteroid injected into the eye. This tiny insert can control uveitis in 60% of patients for up to three years without additional treatment and uses Durasert technology. YUTIQ was sold to Alimera Sciences in 2023.
How do your treatments address side effects?
Our sustained release technology, Durasert, enables us to utilize microdosing strategies to minimize typical corticosteroid side effects such as cataract formation and elevated intraocular pressure. This zero-order kinetics approach ensures a constant, low-level release of the drug, avoiding the peak and trough levels seen with traditional administration methods. For EYP-1901, which is not a corticosteroid but a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, we focus on blocking VEGF receptors to mitigate the effects of elevated VEGF levels, demonstrating our commitment to reducing side effects while maintaining efficacy.
What is the state of innovation in ophthalmology, and how eager are investors to fund companies like EyePoint Pharma today?
Innovation in ophthalmology is quite dynamic, with significant advances in specific areas like gene therapy and drug delivery systems. The field sees subdivision into front of the eye and back of the eye specializations, each with unique challenges and innovations. Gene therapy, for instance, has seen notable success in treating inherited eye diseases, offering a cure by correcting the faulty gene. This approach, however, is not applicable to all eye conditions, such as cataracts, highlighting the varied nature of innovation across different ophthalmological disorders.
Investor interest in ophthalmology fluctuates, but recent advancements have sparked increased investment, particularly in areas like sustained release anti-VEGFs and therapies for dry macular degeneration. EyePoint Pharma, with its strong focus on sustained release drug delivery systems, has been at the forefront, attracting funding even in a challenging macroeconomic environment. This reflects a broader trend of growing investor confidence in ophthalmology, driven by the potential of new treatments and the approval of innovative products.
Where do you see EyePoint in the next few years, and are there plans to expand the pipeline beyond ophthalmology?
EyePoint aims to achieve global approval for its flagship product, EYP-1901, for multiple eye conditions, and to expand its pipeline with new treatments offering novel mechanisms of action. The Durasert technology, central to EyePoint's strategy, is bio-erodible and safe for use in sensitive areas, indicating potential applications beyond ophthalmology. In the next five years, the company plans to venture into systemic drug delivery, including treatments for CNS disorders that require bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
To support this expansion, EyePoint recognizes the need to recruit specialists from disciplines outside of ophthalmology. The company's ambition to become a leader in systemic drug delivery underscores its commitment to leveraging its technology for broader therapeutic applications, highlighting a strategic shift from purely eye-focused treatments to a more diversified healthcare approach.
