Eye Co is pleased to announce the commencement of a second series of studies involving the Australian National University(ANU)Mouse Model. These studies are designed to demonstratesafety,efficacy, enhanced bioavailability and dosage accuracy when ophthalmic steroids such as triamcinolone acetonideand fludrocortisone acetate are delivered intravitreally in hemp seed oil as a carrier.

Ophthalmic steroids such as triamcinolone acetonideand fludrocortisone acetateare highly water insoluble. These therapeutics, currently only available in an aqueous suspension, have proved notoriously difficult to deliver intravitreally.

The ANU Mouse Modelinvolves the development of lesions that mimic dry Age-RelatedMacular Degeneration (d-AMD)resulting from exposure to bright light.

Eye Co has filed patentsrelating to the composition and treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with hemp seed oil or a pharmaceutical active extract thereof. The patent application is directed to the use of compositions comprising oilssuch as hemp seed oil as a carrier of pharmaceutical actives intendedforintravitreal administration.

Eye Co’s Chief Scientist, Professor Philip Penfoldsaid: “These studies support the use of hemp seed oil ascarrier for intravitreal steroids and otherpharmaceutical actives.”

Head of Clear Vision Research, Dr Riccardo Natoli, commented: “We are very excited to be involved in this research. The scientific and clinical experience of Eye Co combined with the access to world class facilities and researchers at the ANU make for a likely long-term partnership. Combined we have the necessary team to find treatments for the currently untreatable d-AMD.”

Eye Co is an early stage developer of innovativetherapeutics for the treatment of retinal diseases. These studies and associated patent rightsareconsistent with itsstrategy of initiating early stage development of innovative treatments with the intention of licensing the associated intellectual property to a global pharmaceutical group with the necessary resources to commercialise such innovations.