Next gen aldehyde traps are at preclinical stage with a novel validated lead and a series of patentably distinct analogs.  The entire drug series has freedom to operate and strong IP with composition of matter and methods of use claims.  

Platform drugs have multiple options for clinical development, by definition.  Depending on the priorities of corporate partners or investors, Oculogics can advance lead compounds to the clinic in oral or topical formulations within two years of M&A or equity funding.  Each clinical program can have its own financial exit with exclusive rights to one or more novel and proprietary compounds in this series.  

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Diseases associated with chronic inflammation cause lifetime disabilities and over 50% of global deaths (1).  As an inflammation platform drug, aldehyde traps have the potential to become a safe and potent standard of care in any of these diseases.  These include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, all forms of neurodegenerative disease, and orphan diseases associated with gene defects in reducing enzymes or aldehyde transporters.  

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A UCSF study led by a Nobel laureate demonstrated that lipid aldehydes irreversibly activate the TRPA1 ion channels that initiate pain signaling in peripheral and spinal nerves (2) and also alter the activity of other pain signaling proteins (3).  These findings make chronic pain a promising treatment area for aldehyde traps, consistent with the rapid pain relief reported by patients with a painful condition of ocular inflammation in clinical studies of reproxalap (4), a topical first gen trap.  The high potency, oral availability and CNS exposure of next gen traps will provide even greater pain relief.  Traps provide non-opioid analgesia with no risk of addiction (5), and unlike drugs that block ion channels, will not impair pain sensitivity elsewhere in the body because they target free aldehydes, not proteins. 

Stage, FTO and IP