InSite Vision Inc. plans to begin Phase II trials in mid-1994 ofits ocular drug BB-94 for the prevention of post-surgicalrecurrence of pterygium, a vascular growth.

On Wednesday, the company announced the completion ofPhase I trials with BB-94, an inhibitor of matrixmetalloproteinases (MMP). MMP is a family of enzymes,including collagenase, that are responsible for the breakdownin the body of tissue-support material known as extra-cellularmatrix.

The compound belongs to Bio-technology Group plc; InSite isconducting clinical trials to evaluate the drug in its DuraSitedrug delivery system, an eyedrop formulation containing apolymer that releases drugs slowly as it erodes in the eye.

InSite's chairman and chief executive officer, KumarChandrasekaran, said pterygium may be surgically removed,but it recurs at a rate of 40 percent or more.

"While the regrowth may be partially blocked by radiationtherapy or treatment with anti-metabolites, the potentialcomplications of these follow-on therapies are serious,"Chandrasekaran said. "We believe that BB-94, used post-operatively, may prevent regrowth of pterygium with few ifany side effects."

InSite (NASDAQ:INSV) said it plans to begin Phase I/II dose-ranging studies of its ocular anesthetic ProSite in mid-1994.The topical drug consists of proparacaine hydrochloride in theDuraSite delivery system, which is intended to extend thedrug's duration of action.

The Alameda, Calif., company also announced that it hasobtained two U.S. patents, numbers 5,256,408 and 5,252,319,for the use of "lazaroids" (21-aminosteroids) for ophthalmicapplications. InSite believes that lazaroids may protect the eyefrom macular degeneration and cataract formation, and mayhave application in treating diabetic retinopathy.

Lazaroids, a therapeutic class of membrane lipid peroxidationinhibitors, were synthesized by Upjohn Co. InSite licensedtirilazad mesylate from Upjohn and is developing the lazaroidon an exclusive, worldwide basis for non-systemic ocularapplications.

InSite has formulated the compound into its DuraSite deliverysystem and is currently conducting preclinical studies in animalmodels. The company said it expects to file an investigationalnew drug application in the first half of 1994.

-- Brenda Sandburg News Editor

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