Seeing the Signal

For most ophthalmic diseases in which neovascularization is an issue, VEGF has become the target of choice. Gene Signal S.A.S. is going after a more selective angiogenesis target - IRS1 - that it says has activity only in the disease state, which the company hopes will be safer. The company now has published data for its lead compound GS-101 in neovascularization-associated corneal graft rejection and hopes to use the results to attract a partner.

Phase II data published in the September issue of Ophthalmology showed that 86% of patients undergoing corneal graft who were given Gene Signal's GS-101 eye drops showed regression of neovascularization. Corneal neovascularization progressed in all placebo-treated patients...