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Sturdivant J, Williams SS, Ina M, Weksler M, McDougal A, Clancy D, deLong MA, Girouard N, Zaretskaia M, Brennan K, Glendenning A, Foley B, Lin CW, White JC, Kopczynski C, Kelly CR. Discovery and Preclinical Development of Novel Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Rho Kinase Inhibitor: Corticosteroid Conjugates. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2023; 39:117-127. [PMID: 36602977 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2022.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: A new class of ocular steroids designed to mitigate steroid-induced intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation while maintaining anti-inflammatory activity was developed. Herein is described the discovery and preclinical characterization of ROCK'Ster compound 1. Methods: Codrugs consisting of a Rho kinase inhibitor (ROCKi) and a corticosteroid were synthesized. Compounds were initially screened in vitro for ROCKi activity and anti-inflammatory activity against the proinflammatory interleukin 23 and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pathways. Selected compounds were then screened for solubility, chemical stability, and ex vivo corneal metabolism. Lead compound 1 was evaluated for IOP lowering in the Dutch Belted rabbit and for anti-inflammatory efficacy in both a postcataract surgery model and an allergic eye disease (AED) mouse model. Results: Several ROCK'Sters were found to be potent inhibitors of ROCK (Kis < 50 nM), have high anti-inflammatory activity in vitro (IC50s < 50 nM), display sufficient stability in topical ophthalmic formulations, and have a moderate rate of corneal metabolism. Compound 1 (0.1% and 0.25%, quater in die [QID]-4 times a day) demonstrated IOP-lowering capability without inducing hyperemia in our rabbit model. When compared with the marketed steroids, Durezol® and Pred Forte®, compound 1 (0.1%, 0.25%) demonstrated noninferiority in clinical scoring in a rabbit model of inflammation after surgery. In addition, anti-inflammatory outcomes were observed with compound 1 (0.1%) relative to Lotemax® or vehicle control in an AED mouse model. Conclusion: ROCK'Ster compound 1 is a novel compound suitable for topical ocular dosing that possesses IOP-lowering capability along with similar anti-inflammatory activity compared with marketed steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Sturdivant
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stuart S Williams
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maria Ina
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Meredith Weksler
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alan McDougal
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daphne Clancy
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mitchell A deLong
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Natalie Girouard
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maria Zaretskaia
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karen Brennan
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Angela Glendenning
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Briana Foley
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cheng-Wen Lin
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeffrey C White
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Casey Kopczynski
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Curtis R Kelly
- Research & Development, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA
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