EyeGate Pharma Awarded Grants Totaling Nearly $1 Million by United States Government Section 48D Therapeutic Discovery Program

Published: Nov 04, 2010

WALTHAM, MA--(Marketwire - November 03, 2010) -

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www.eyegatepharma.com

EyeGate Pharma, the leader in non-invasive ocular drug delivery, today announces that they have received four Federal grants totaling nearly $1 Million. The funded programs focus on the continued clinical development of EGP-437 for dry eye disease, future generation ophthalmic drug delivery devices, and the use of the current EyeGate® II delivery system to deliver proteins and drug-loaded nano-particles.

Stephen From, President and Chief Executive Officer of EyeGate Pharma, commented, "EyeGate has developed a unique, non-invasive system (EyeGate® II) that delivers therapeutics for ocular diseases. We are excited that independent reviews recognize the potential value that our platform may offer to patients. The funds will help accelerate product development and enable us to more rapidly expand broader utilities. The continued development of our product could revolutionize how patients with ocular conditions are treated with novel therapeutics. We continue to pursue partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are developing novel products for eye disease."

Currently available ocular drug delivery options, which include topical drops and intravitreal injections, have limitations and associated risks. To address the need for improved ocular drug delivery, EyeGate Pharma has developed a novel, non-invasive device that uses low-level electrical current to deliver drug substances to targeted areas of the eye.

EyeGate is the first company to conduct multiple controlled clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of iontophoresis technology to deliver therapeutics into the eye. EyeGate has successfully completed two Phase II studies of EGP-437, a corticosteroid solution administered by the EyeGate® II delivery system: one in dry eye syndrome (DES) patients and one in anterior uveitis patients, and is actively recruiting patients into ALLUVION, a Phase III dry eye study.

About Iontophoresis as a Drug Delivery Approach
The EyeGate® II Delivery System works through iontophoresis, which occurs when an applied electric field enhances the mobility of molecules through cells and tissues primarily through electrochemical repulsion. These principles can be applied to anionic and cationic molecules. To deliver a therapeutic to both the anterior (front) and posterior (back) tissues of the eye, the drug must be specially adapted and formulated for iontophoretic delivery. EyeGate has concentrated its efforts on optimizing the EyeGate® II Delivery System to administer a wide range of therapeutics while developing a highly specialized laboratory dedicated to formulating drugs for iontophoretic delivery.

About EyeGate Pharma
Eyegate Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is focused on developing treatments for unmet ocular medical needs by employing the EyeGate® II Ocular Drug Delivery System, a non-invasive drug delivery technology. The EyeGate® II delivery system is compatible with a wide range of therapeutics; therefore, it has the potential to address many anterior and posterior segment diseases. EyeGate Pharma is the first company to demonstrate clinical significance utilizing iontophoresis and EyeGate® II has been studied in over 200 subjects (over 500 treatments performed). The Company recently completed randomized, double-masked Phase II clinical studies in both dry eye and uveitis studying its lead product candidate (EGP-437), and has initiated a Phase III pivotal trial (ALLUVION) in dry eye patients. EyeGate has ongoing relationships with other biotech and pharmaceutical companies (e.g., RXi). For more information, please visit www.eyegatepharma.com.