Azura Ophthalmics Expands Broad Intellectual Property Portfolio to 12 US and European Patents

Azura Ophthalmics announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has approved the company's US 11,459,351 patent, also known as the 351 patent. With this patent, the company is better able to protect its dual-action keratolytic drug conjugates that are being developed for the treatment of ocular diseases linked to malfunction of the eyelid margin and meibomian gland (MGD).

“The expansion of Azura’s IP portfolio to 12 US and European patents, and at least 104 patents and patent applications worldwide, validates our novel approach to harness and develop first-in-class treatments that have the potential to completely change the treatment and outcomes of lid margin and ocular surface diseases,” said Marc Gleeson, CEO of Azura Ophthalmics.

“By targeting the underlying cause of these conditions, we believe our pipeline of dual-action keratolytic drug conjugates has the potential to improve the signs, symptoms, and burden of numerous eye conditions being inadequately managed today. Our lead keratolytic, AZR-MD-001, is being investigated for the treatment of MGD in a Phase 2b trial and we look forward to sharing initial results from the study this quarter,” Mr. Gleeson added.

Azithromycin-keratolytic dual drug conjugates are protected by the '351 patent; lifitegrast-keratolytic dual drug conjugates are protected by the previously issued US Patent 10,875,845; and other disease modulating agents conjugated with keratolytic agents are also covered by Azura's extensive IP portfolio.

Patients who encounter mixed disease processes, such as anterior surface inflammation and meibomian gland hyperkeratosis, which impact their ocular surface, can have more therapeutic options thanks to this class of conjugated medicines.