APX3330

APX3330 Oral Tablet

Phase 2 Trial in DR/DME launched in early 2021

APX3330, a novel, first-in-class, twice-daily oral tablet drug candidate, specifically targets Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1/Redox Effector Factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) protein, referred to as Ref-1. APX3330 has a dual mechanism of action in validated pathways, decreasing both abnormal angiogenesis and inflammation by blocking pathways downstream of Ref-1. APX3330 specifically blocks Ref-1’s redox signaling function leading to simultaneous decreases in the activity of several important proangiogenic and proinflammatory transcription factors relevant to the pathophysiology of retinal and choroidal vascular diseases: HIF-1a to reduce VEGF signaling and NF-kB to modulate VEGF, TNF-α and other inflammatory cytokines. 

APX3330 is currently being developed for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). These indications have approved intravitreal injection products that have established a precedent FDA approval pathway.

APX3330 has been studied in over 340 subjects across 11 Phase 1 and Phase 2 non-ocular clinical trials, with few systemic adverse events reported and clinical data that support chronic administration. Based on APX3330’s clinical and pre-clinical data, Ocuphire initiated a Phase 2 trial for APX3330 in the first quarter of 2021 for the treatment of moderately severe non-proliferative DR (NPDR) and mild proliferative DR (PDR), as well as patients with DME without loss of central vision and completed last patient last visit in August 2022.

APX3330: 600mg Oral Dose

APX3330 is an investigational drug candidate that is being tested in clinical trials and has not yet been approved by the FDA or other regulatory agencies for commercial sale.

Comparison Graphic
Product Candidate Indication Development Stage Anticipated Milestones
Preclinical Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Regulatory Approval

Ocuphire-Focused Development

APX3330 Oral Pill Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)/ Macular Edema (DME)
Preclinical complete
Phase 1 complete
Phase 2 in progress
Ongoing Trial
EOP2 Meeting
Phase 3 not started
Regulatory Approval not started

ZETA-1 Phase 2 data reported in 1Q 2023 (n=103)

EOP2 Meeting to Advance P3 2H 2023

Multiple Indications with Large Market Potential

Given the progressive nature of these diseases and the need for repeated therapy, only a fraction of patients can sustain the initial improvement in vision seen with current therapies, highlighting the unmet need for better pharmacologic interventions. Earlier treatment options to prevent or delay vision loss for patients with diabetic eye disease are also important.

Diabetic Retinopathy

About Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes, a worldwide epidemic, is the leading cause of blindness among adults age 20-74. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a diabetes complication that affects the eyes, affecting over 7 million patients in the U.S. alone, in which chronically elevated blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. There are two major types of DR:

  • Non-proliferative DR, or NPDR. NPDR is an earlier, more typical stage of DR and can progress into more severe forms of DR over time if untreated and if exposure to elevated blood sugar levels persists.
  • Proliferative DR, or PDR. PDR is a more advanced stage of DR than NPDR. It is characterized by retinal neovascularization and, if left untreated, leads to permanent damage and blindness.

When DR is in its early stages, blood vessels in the retina are damaged and can begin to leak fluid into the retina, a problem called diabetic macular edema (DME). In advanced stages, new and abnormal blood vessels form which may break and bleed. Fluid and hemorrhage interfere with vision and may further cause irreversible visual impairment due to retinal scarring and even retinal detachment. Even though biologic injection therapies have been approved for DR and treatment is possible, patients with DR are not widely treated in this early stage of the disease.

Market Landscape

7+M

U.S. prevalence

How APX3330 Can Help DR

We believe that APX3330’s oral delivery could be preferred over current invasive methods, and it has the potential to be used as monotherapy (non-proliferative or early proliferative stages of diabetic retinopathy) or as an adjunct therapy (advanced stages).

Diabetic Macular Edema

About Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is a complication of DR where the macula swells with fluid leaked from the damaged blood vessels as a result of worsening diabetic retinopathy. It is one of the most common reasons for blindness in diabetics, affecting approximately 750,000 patients. DME may cause blurriness in the center of vision, the appearance of straight lines as wavy, colors that look dull or washed out, or blind spots. The pathogenesis of DME involves vascular leakage, retinal ischemia, and release of vasoproliferative growth factors and inflammatory mediators. Earlier treatment options to prevent or delay vision loss for patients with diabetic eye disease are important.

Market Landscape

750K

U.S. prevalence

How APX3330 Can Help DME

APX3330’s safety profile, pharmacokinetic properties, molecular target engagement data observed in clinical trials, and drug exposure in the retina seen in mouse models, combined with a unique oral tablet formulation, suggest potential to reduce the frequency of anti-VEGF treatments and increase compliance for better outcomes.

Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration

About Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition affecting 11 million individuals in the U.S. and 170 million globally, mostly over the age of 55 years. It is a progressive disease affecting the central portion of the retina, known as the macula, which is the region of the eye responsible for sharpness, central vision, and color perception. Wet AMD (wAMD) is an advanced form of AMD characterized by neovascularization and fluid leakage under the retina. It is the leading cause of severe vision loss in patients over the age of 50 in the United States and EU. While wAMD represents only 10% of the number of cases of AMD overall, it is responsible for 90% of AMD-related severe vision loss. Untreated or undertreated wAMD results in further blood vessel leakage, fluid in the macula, and ultimately scar tissue formation, which can lead to permanent vision loss, or even blindness, as a result of the scarring and retinal deformation that occur during periods of non-treatment or undertreatment. Similar to severe DR and DME, current therapy for wAMD consists of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, which have a number of side effects.

Market Landscape

11M

U.S prevalence

How APX3330 Can Help wAMD

Based on APX3330 targeting Ref-1 and reducing VEGF production, it has potential use in wAMD. Further, to enter the wAMD injectable market, Ocuphire is considering the utility of second-generation product candidates of APX3330, such as APX2009 and APX2014, in intravitreal formulation.

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We are dedicated to publishing the results of APX3330 studies in peer-reviewed medical journals.

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