VivaVision, Everads collaborate to develop therapies for retinal diseases

The suprachoroidal space is a promising route of administration for therapies targeting the back of the eye.

VivaVision and Everads Therapy announced today that they are partnering to develop safer, more effective, and more durable treatments for retinal diseases.

According to a news release, the two companies will develop certain undisclosed molecules of VivaVision for suprachoroidal delivery using Everads' technology and expertise.

The companies noted that the molecules selected are potent small molecules that work against well-validated therapeutic targets in retinal disease management, and that are designed to enable extended durability in the suprachoroidal space.

The suprachoroidal space is a promising route of administration for therapies targeting the back of the eye. Recent clinical results, as well as the FDA's approval of the first drug and accompanying delivery technology for suprachoroidal delivery, have further demonstrated the potential benefits of delivery via this route of administration. While the suprachoroidal space has long been of interest due to its ability to directly target the retina and choroid, a major hurdle to its use has been the availability of safe, reliable and efficient delivery technologies. Everads' novel approach for suprachoroidal delivery has demonstrated its ability to rapidly and safely deliver drugs to the back of the eye.

"We are excited about the potential of delivering our treatments for posterior eye diseases through the suprachoroidal space using Everads' technology, an approach that we believe will demonstrate strong efficacy and durability, potentially bringing life-changing improvements to populations throughout the world," Wang Shen, PhD, CEO of VivaVision, said in a statement.

"We believe that VivaVision's drug candidates and formulations offer significant potential for the treatment of retinal disease via suprachoroidal administration with our technology,” Moshe Weinstein, Executive Chairman and acting CEO of Everads, said in the news release. “We look forward to working together to increase treatment safety, effectivity and durability."

Under the terms of collaboration agreement, the companies will jointly conduct pre-clinical research activities, in order to identify lead candidates for future clinical development and commercialization. Everads and VivaVision will share costs of the research plan, and have rights in a future joint venture which will hold the commercialization rights of the research results. YAFO Capital (Shanghai) acted as VivaVision's advisor on this transaction.