(RTTNews) - Ocugen, Inc. (OCGN), a biotechnology company, on Thursday, announced that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 1 clinical trial of OCU200 for diabetic macular edema.
OCU200, a recombinant fusion protein, works by targeting integrin receptors to reduce inflammation, vascular permeability, and neovascularization, which drive the progression of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, or wet age-related macular degeneration.
In the phase I trial, the safety of OCU200 will be evaluated in three dose cohorts: low (0.025 mg), medium (0.05 mg), and high (0.1 mg), injection. Each patient will receive two intravitreal injections of OCU200, administered six weeks apart.
Approximately 12 million people in the U.S. and 130 million worldwide are affected by DME, DR, or wet AMD.
Commenting on the developments, Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen said, "We are enthusiastic about getting patients started in the OCU200 Phase 1 clinical trial and sharing not only safety but preliminary efficacy data as the study progresses".
He added, "OCU200 brings an innovative biologic candidate to Ocugen's ophthalmology portfolio targeting blindness diseases."
Ocugen plans to pursue approval for OCU200 as a first-line therapy for DME, DR, and wet AMD.
The Company's cash and restricted cash totaled $39.0 million as of September 30, 2024.
OCGN closed Wednesday's (Jan.15 2025) trading at $0.72 down 0.60%. In the premarket trading Thursday, the stock is up 0.83% at $0.73.
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