Key points from article :
Unity Biotechnology reports positive data in phase 1 study in patients with advanced vascular eye disease.
Its small-molecule inhibitor of Bcl-xL, a senolytic therapeutic, was well tolerated in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).
Study of UBX1325 was conducted in patients for whom anti-VEGF therapy was not beneficial.
Improvements in retinal structure and vision, although this was in just 12 patients.
"This drug has the potential for a monotherapy, in combination with anti-VEGF, or for people who are sub optimal responders to anti-VEGF," - Anirvan Ghosh, CEO of Unity.
Phase 2a study evaluating the safety and efficacy in a broader populations of DME patients.
"As we go to a broader patient population that are less advanced, we might see even greater efficacy," - Ghosh.
In the next 18 to 20 months, Unity will begin exploring other systems that have strong evidence of senescence biology.
