A sustained-release bimatoprost drug delivery platform shows promise in the treatment of ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma, according to a poster at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.

Gregory J. Katz, MDABO, and co-authors presented 12-month interim safety and efficacy data from a first-in-human study in which 23 eyes were implanted with the SpyGlass Pharma IOL-based drug delivery platform with bimatoprost, at doses of 75 µg, 150 µg or 300 µg, at the time of cataract surgery.

A statistically significant IOP reduction was achieved in all cohorts at all timepoints. Mean IOP decreased from 25.1 mm Hg at baseline to 13.9 mm Hg at 12 months. No additional IOP-lowering medication was required. All eyes achieved best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better, with minimal adverse events that were unrelated to the drug delivery device.

This method of administering medication has the potential to become a valuable option for managing ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma in eyes requiring cataract extraction, according to the study authors.

SpyGlass is enrolling patients in a phase 1/2 study with a larger patient pool and is working with the FDA to advance the program to commercial approval.

“The compelling clinical data … suggest we are on track to bringing our innovative platform to patients,” Patrick Mooney, CEO of SpyGlass Pharma, said in a press release.