Bausch + Lomb has decided to abandon its efforts to develop a glaucoma medication after its experimental treatment, BL1107, failed a mid-stage clinical trial. However, the company announced that it would initiate a new trial investigating the medication’s efficacy in treating another common visual disorder.<\/p>\n
BL1107, designed to be administered as an eye drop, was evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial that concluded after 28 days of topical application. The results revealed that the drug did not meet its primary endpoint, which was to replicate the visual function improvements observed in earlier clinical trials for treating glaucoma. Furthermore, BL1107 fell short of secondary objectives that assessed additional measures of visual function.<\/p>\n
Despite these setbacks, the Vaughan, Ontario-based company noted that BL1107 successfully achieved a secondary objective of reducing intraocular pressure. Additionally, the safety profile of BL1107 remained consistent with prior clinical trials, showing no new safety concerns, which is crucial as Bausch prepares to test the drug for geographic atrophy (GA).<\/p>\n
BL1107 is classified as a small molecule alpha-2 agonist, targeting receptors found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. This target has been validated by existing therapies aimed at decreasing intraocular pressure for glaucoma treatment. Originally known as WB007, BL1107 was part of Bausch’s 2025 acquisition of Whitecap Biosciences, although specific financial terms were not disclosed. Regulatory filings indicated that Bausch paid an upfront fee of $28 million and would be responsible for milestone payments and royalties on future sales.<\/p>\n
At the time of the acquisition, BL1107 was under development for both glaucoma and GA. Bausch opted to advance the drug into mid-stage testing for glaucoma based on promising indications from Phase 1\/2a trials. However, the company now asserts that its acquisition interest was chiefly driven by the drug’s prospective applications in treating GA, an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) characterized by deterioration of central vision due to damage to the macula.<\/p>\n
Currently, there are two FDA-approved treatments for GA: Syfovre from Apellis Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Biogen earlier this year, and Izervay from Astellas Pharma. Each medication targets different complement proteins linked to chronic inflammation damaging the retina, with both requiring intravitreal injections.<\/p>\n
Going forward, Bausch intends to pursue the development of BL1107 for GA via a long-acting implant, which could offer patients a more convenient treatment option compared to the frequent injections needed for Syfovre and Izervay. To achieve this, Bausch has partnered with Ripple Therapeutics, a company specializing in transforming medications into controlled-release formulations without using polymers.<\/p>\n
This is not the first effort to develop an alpha-2 agonist for GA via an implant. Allergan previously reached mid-stage development with brimonidine, initially offered to glaucoma patients in the 1990s. That program ended after showing a lower-than-expected progression rate for GA in the treatment group within a Phase 2b trial.<\/p>\n
Bausch anticipates that clinical trials for BL1107 in GA will commence in 2028. The company also disclosed that its pipeline includes over 60 assets at various stages of development, with some expected to reach key milestones in the coming months.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have intentionally built a diverse pipeline because we know that innovation requires pursuing multiple scientific hypotheses simultaneously,\u201d stated Yehia Hashad, executive vice president of R&D and chief medical officer of Bausch + Lomb. \u201cNot all programs will succeed, but each study helps us make more informed decisions about where to invest.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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