Good preclinical data for OXiGENE's Zybrestat

OXiGENE, a clinical-stage, US biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, has reported positive results from preclinical studies with topical formulations of Zybrestat (combretastatin) for ophthalmological indications.

The trials, performed in industry-standard rabbit models, indicate that two formulations of the compound, when applied topically to the surface of the eye, are absorbed and result in concentrations of drug in target tissues in the back of the eye (ie, the retina and horoids) that the company believes will be sufficient for therapeutic activity in age-related macular degeneration and potentially other eye diseases in which abnormal neovascularization plays a role. These findings confirm preliminary results seen in earlier preclinical studies.