SeaBeLife Reports Promising In Vivo Results for SBL03 Ophthalmic Gel in Geographic Atrophy

SeaBeLife has announced promising in vivo preclinical results for its investigational drug SBL03, an ophthalmic gel designed to combat necrotic retinal cell death in geographic atrophy (GA). The findings confirm the therapeutic potential of SBL03 as a noninvasive, well-tolerated treatment aimed at preventing vision loss caused by retinal degeneration.

SBL03: A Novel Approach to GA Treatment

SBL03 is a dual inhibitor of regulated necrotic cell death, formulated as an ophthalmic gel for topical delivery via eye drops. Unlike traditional therapies, this innovative approach allows direct targeting of affected retinal cells, offering a potentially transformative treatment for GA regardless of disease origin.

Key Findings from the Preclinical Study

The study evaluated SBL03’s efficacy in a preclinical animal model that mimics key clinical characteristics of GA, including:

       • Retinal pigment epithelium degeneration

       • Progressive and irreversible photoreceptor cell loss

Following induced retinal degeneration, the preclinical models underwent repeated topical instillations of SBL03 over several days. The therapeutic effects were analyzed using functional and structural assessments, including:

       • Electroretinography (ERG) – Evaluating retinal electrical response

       • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – Assessing retinal structure

       • Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) – Measuring cellular stress and damage

       • Post-mortem Quantitative Histological Testing – Confirming cellular protection

Key Results

       • SBL03 successfully infiltrated various parts of the eye, reaching the retina in adequate concentrations.

       • Significant protection of retinal structure and function was observed in SBL03-treated eyes compared to placebo.

       • Repeated topical treatment demonstrated a protective effect against retinal degeneration, supporting SBL03’s potential role in GA management.

Expert Perspectives

Prof. Jean-François Korobelnik, professor of ophthalmology at Bordeaux University Hospital, highlighted the significance of these findings:

“The preclinical results achieved with SBL03 are highly promising and open up new opportunities in the treatment of degenerative retinal disorders. The combination of targeted action and topical delivery makes it a particularly promising solution for preserving patients’ sight and, consequently, their quality of life.”

Scaling Up for Clinical Trials

SeaBeLife is currently the only company developing a topical therapy for GA featuring a regulated necrotic cell death inhibitor. The company is preparing for Series A funding to accelerate SBL03’s development and address the urgent needs of millions worldwide.

“This could significantly enhance patient comfort and adherence for a chronic disorder requiring lifelong treatment,” said Morgane Rousselot, PhD, CEO and co-founder of SeaBeLife.

Next Steps in Development

SeaBeLife plans to advance the development of SBL03 with regulatory preclinical studies set to begin in 2025, followed by first-in-human clinical trials anticipated in 2026. These steps mark a significant progression toward bringing this novel ophthalmic gel closer to patients affected by geographic atrophy.

Conclusion

SeaBeLife’s SBL03 ophthalmic gel represents a potential breakthrough in geographic atrophy treatment. By combining topical administration with targeted inhibition of necrotic cell death, SBL03 offers a novel and patient-friendly approach to preserving vision in individuals affected by GA.