Keratoconus Orphan Drug candidate (IVMED-80)
The cornea, when deviated from normal physiological shape, causes vision distortion. The more significant change to the structure the more severe the loss of visual function. Keratoconus is a degenerative disorder causing the cornea to become thinner and conical in shape. This may lead to a corneal transplant. Estimated prevalence < 50/100,000 (~160,000 in US qualifying as orphan disease for which iVeena has received the orphan drug designation from the FDA). IVMED-80 is the first eye-drop, non-surgical, non-UV light treatment for medical crosslinking of the cornea. The product opens opportunities in other indications (e.g., reduce risk of ectasia after LASIK). Preliminary clinical trial results are anticipated by mid 2019.