Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major health concern, impacting 19.8 million Americans aged 40 and older, and is the most common cause of severe eyesight loss in adults over 50. This condition affects central vision, impairing the ability to see fine details, recognize faces, read, and drive. Alarmingly, AMD can progress without initial symptoms, leading to significant vision loss within two years of onset.
Current treatments for AMD mainly focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes. Lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy and quitting smoking, are often recommended but can be challenging for patients. However, InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: INM) aims to change this paradigm with their cannabinoid analog, INM-089.
InMed, a leader in cannabinoid research, has developed INM-089 specifically for ocular diseases like AMD. The company's research highlights the neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids, which are crucial for preserving nerve cells in the eyes and potentially slowing or reversing damage. INM-089, a small molecule compound, has demonstrated its ability to protect nerve cells in the retina, making it a promising candidate for AMD treatment.
Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that INM-089 provides neuroprotection of photoreceptors, improves their function, enhances the integrity of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and preserves overall retinal function. Additionally, INM-089 has been shown to improve the thickness of the outer nuclear layer of the retina, where photoreceptors are located. These findings suggest that INM-089 could address the unmet medical need for neuroprotection in AMD treatment.
In a recent proof of concept study, INM-089 demonstrated greater effectiveness in treating dry AMD compared to wet AMD, showing potential as an important treatment for Geographic Atrophy (GA), a common condition in advanced dry AMD cases. In vivo preclinical studies also showed a reduction in extracellular autofluorescent deposits, a hallmark of dry AMD, further supporting INM-089's suitability for this condition.
Dry AMD is the most prevalent form of AMD, accounting for 85% to 90% of all cases. Poor circulation and waste flushing in the eye lead to the accumulation of waste proteins and lipids, progressing to Geographic Atrophy in advanced stages. Currently, approximately five million people globally suffer from GA, with this number projected to rise to 18.5 million by 2040 as the population ages.
Dr. Eric Hsu, SVP of preclinical research and development at InMed, expressed optimism about the recent preclinical studies, noting significant functional and pathological improvements from INM-089 in the AMD model. He emphasized the limited efficacy and undesirable side effects of current treatments, highlighting INM-089's potential to slow disease progression and fill a significant treatment gap.
InMed has engaged a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) to scale up the manufacturing process for INM-089's active pharmaceutical ingredient. Concurrently, the company is developing drug product formulations for the next stages of development. Additional preclinical activities are underway to understand the mechanism of action, including receptor interactions, drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetics studies, all aimed at eventual commercialization.
As the global population ages, the incidence of AMD is set to increase, posing significant challenges due to the disease's debilitating and life-altering effects. InMed's pursuit of better treatment options through cannabinoids like INM-089 brings hope for millions of older adults suffering from AMD, marking a potential breakthrough in ocular disease treatment.
