SpyGlass Pharma is initiating Phase I/II clinical trials investigating its drug delivery platform in patients with glaucoma and visually significant cataracts.

SpyGlass Pharma’s platform consists of a single-piece, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with two drug-eluting pads, one on either side of the lens. It is implanted via a standard IOL injector into the capsular bag.

The Phase I/II trial is investigating the safety and efficacy of the platform loaded with the drug bimatoprost during cataract surgery in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.  Bimatoprost, sold under the brand name Lumigan by AbbVie, is a standard treatment traditionally administered in the form of eye drops for reducing intraocular pressure.

The platform is designed to be implanted during routine cataract surgery and deliver the drug consistently over multiple years to maintain the lowering of intraocular pressure. SpyGlass Pharma states patients will be compared to a control group who receive a standard IOL followed by topical eye drops that reduce intraocular pressure.

The prospective, multicentre, randomised study is supported by data from a first-in-human feasibility study. SpyGlass Pharma stated that patients who received the platform experienced a consistent 45% mean reduction in IOP at nine months.

SpyGlass Pharma CEO Patrick Mooney said in a statement: “[This platform] has the promise of lowering IOP for glaucoma patients without the need to self-administer daily drop therapy.”

According to SpyGlass Pharma, the drug-eluting pads are also designed to deliver drugs other than bimatoprost, opening the platform’s application to multiple ophthalmic indications.

In July 2023, the US-based company raised $90m in a Series C financing round.

A market model by GlobalData estimates the global drug delivery device market will be worth $3.5bn by 2030.