Out-licensing

iGen™: A Biodegradable Collagen Implant for Glaucoma, Pterygium and Selected Ophthalmic Laser and Ophthalmic Surgery Treatment

Introduction/Background

iGen™ is a collagen implant, and is a biodegradable scaffold which can induce a regenerative non-scarring wound healing process without the use of medicine. This collagen implant improves the remodelling of the regenerating tissue and prevents scar formation. As stated, iGen™ is used not only for trabeculectomy, but also other ophthalmic surgeries, such as pterygium removal, rejuvenation of ocular tissue for presbyopia, oculoplastic surgery and veterinary surgery.

Aims/Hypothesis

We are currently taking iGen™ through Phase III clinical development.

Research

For glaucoma applications, ophthalmologists simply operate using the standard procedure for trabeculectomy and simply implanting iGen™ on the top of the scleral flap under the conjunctiva before suturing. The trabeculectomy procedure using the iGen™ implant can ensure a more than 95% success rate without the application of anti-fibrotic or anti-proliferative agents.

The principal of the iGen™ collagen implant is to induce fibroblast to grow randomly, which leads to the wound healing normally. The iGenTM scaffold's porous structure can work as a reservoir, a buffering system, and a controlled drainage solution. It randomizes the growth of myofibroblasts and creates a new physiological environment between the anterior chamber and subconjunctival space of the eyeball. iGenTM maintains the physiological barrier by regeneration, which maintains both the function of the bleb and normalizes the dynamic aqueous balance to create a safe conjunctival system.

iGen™ application in presbyopia treatment helps to generate low density ocular tissue instead of scar tissue. The procedure results in a more elastic ocular tissue and leads to better accommodation ability for the presbyopic eye.

Conclusion

iGen™ is a collagen implant, and is a biodegradable scaffold which can induce a regenerative non-scarring wound healing process without the use of medicine. The ophthalmology applications for iGen™ include glaucoma, pterygium, ocular tissue, and veterinary use.

Relevance/Opportunity

We are seeking licensing or partnering.

Phase II

Patent applications US 11/471,695, US 60/796,871 and TW I238712 are pending