The low-dose PER-001 intravitreal implant cleared its phase 1 safety study and has initiated enrollment into phase 2a, according to its maker Perfuse Therapeutics. The novel 4-mm, bioerodible cylindrical implant is designed to provide a sustained release of a first-in-class small molecule endothelin receptor antagonist over 6 months.

“Multiple lines of evidence implicate vascular dysregulation as a driver of glaucomatous disease progression and that excess endothelin levels play a key role in reducing ocular blood flow,” said Phil Lai, MD, CMO of Perfuse, in a news release.

“The absence of a safe and effective treatment of ischemia in the retina represents a significant unmet medical need,” said Sevgi Gurkan, MD, CEO and founder of the company. “We plan to evaluate the PER-001 intravitreal implant in other retinal diseases driven by ischemia, including diabetic retinopathy, dry age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion.”