Aerie Pharmaceuticals has announced positive results from a Phase 2a study of its Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, AR-12286. According to the study results, AR-12286 was safe and well-tolerated. There were no serious side effects reported in the study. The Company plans to present this data at an upcoming medical meeting.

The Phase 2a study was a U.S., multi-center, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study in which patients were randomly assigned to receive one of three doses of AR-12286 or placebo. Patients were first dosed once daily and then twice daily and evaluated over a three-week treatment period. This Phase 2a study achieved statistical significance in demonstrating lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) with both the once-daily and twice-daily treatment. AR-12286 achieved a maximum change of mean IOP of 28% from baseline.

AR-12286 is a highly selective Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor which was designed to lower intraocular pressure by improving the outflow of fluid via the trabecular pathway with the potential of restoring normal function. This class of compounds acts directly on the trabecular meshwork. An altered trabecular meshwork morphology eventually restricts the drainage of fluid from the eye, which causes an increase in intraocular pressure and ultimately damage to the optic nerve. ROCK inhibitors return the trabecular meshwork to a state that allows normal drainage of ocular fluid and thereby reduces pressure in the eye.

Read ^[1] the release.