Glaukos unveils licensing agreement for compounds that target Demodex mites

Under the agreement, Glaukos has the exclusive global right to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize products using certain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases caused by Demodex mites.(Adobe Stock image)

Glaukos Corp. announced today that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Attillaps Holdings Inc., giving it an exclusive license to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize Attillaps’ proprietary library of investigational pharmaceutical compounds that target the eradication of Demodex mites, which are the root cause of Demodex blepharitis and often associated with meibomian gland dysfunction and related ophthalmic diseases.

Under the agreement, Glaukos has the exclusive global right to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize products using certain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases caused by Demodex mites. Attillaps’ lead compounds have demonstrated promising in-vitro results in preclinical settings.

“This licensing agreement adds a promising therapeutic class that expands the focus of our emerging Corneal Health franchise into new and globally underserved disease indications,” Thomas Burns, Glaukos president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Attillaps’ proprietary compounds and targeted ophthalmic indications are highly complementary to our expanding portfolio of sustained pharmaceuticals and represent a synergistic fit with our ongoing Corneal Health R&D initiatives.”

Currently, there is no FDA-approved product for safely and effectively treating Demodex blepharitis. As a result, providing effective treatment is more difficult than making an accurate diagnosis.

A recent retrospective study of adults with Demodex blepharitis demonstrates that this common condition has important negative functional and psychosocial effects.

The study, known as ATLAS, analyzed data from questionnaires that were completed by 311 patients who had objective signs of Demodex blepharitis, including the presence of Demodex mites, collarettes on the lashes, and lid margin erythema.

The results showed that 80% of patients said that blepharitis negatively affected daily life and that the impacts were felt in multiple ways.

According to Frank Spallitta, founder and chief executive officer of Attillaps, the company is looking forward to the development and commercial prospects of its novel platform in various therapeutic applications, particularly in the ophthalmology sector.

“Glaukos is a world-class ophthalmic company, and we could not envision a more compelling licensing partner to advance our platform as a potential solution for the many patients suffering from these challenging conditions that currently have no approved treatments,” he said in a statement.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.