Topical Ocular Biologics with Claris Bio's Clarke Atwell
Jul 1, 2024
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CEO Clarke Atwell from Claris Bio discusses the potential of topically-administered biologic therapies for ocular diseases like Neurotrophic Keratitis. He shares insights on the development progress, funding, and opportunities in the biotech industry. The podcast explores the shift towards patient-friendly eye treatments, the importance of understanding mechanism of action, and the challenges in clinical trials and manufacturing processes.
Development of topically-administered biologic therapies for eye treatments enhances patient experience and treatment options.
Focus on bringing biologics to the front of the eye proves biotech business value and improves adherence for better outcomes.
Deep dives
Overview of Bio Expo Live
Bioprocess Online's Bio Expo Live, held virtually, provides a platform for biopharma companies and contract manufacturers to explore the latest bioprocessing solutions conveniently from their desktop or mobile device. The event, split into three days focusing on upstream, downstream, and quality analytical solutions, offers interactive sessions allowing attendees to evaluate cutting-edge equipment and solutions effectively.
Interview with Clark Atwell
Clark Atwell, a bio pharma veteran and CEO of Claris Biel, shares insights in an interview emphasizing the importance of developing topically administered drugs for eye treatments. With a background in immunology and ophthalmology, Atwell discusses his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the significance of understanding mechanism of action in drug development for better patient outcomes.
Focus on Ophthalmology
The podcast delves into the importance of bringing biologics to the front of the eye for various conditions, moving away from traditional administration methods involving injections or surgeries. By exploring the potential of topically administered drugs like Oxervate and CSB001, there is a shift towards enhancing patient convenience, expanding treatment options, and improving adherence.
Upcoming Trials and Expansion
Claris Biel is poised to announce results from its ongoing trials, including scar reversal and limbal stem cell deficiency indications, bringing innovation to untapped areas of ophthalmic treatments. The company's focus on expanding its drug manufacturing capacity at Catalin signifies preparation for commercialization and future clinical studies, reflecting a commitment to advancing patient care and therapeutic outcomes.
Built on the back of hepatocyte growth factor discoveries by Harvard Drs. Reza Dana and Sunil Chauhan, ClarisBio is rewriting the ophthalmology rulebook. CEO Clark Atwell acknowledges that it's not the first to bring topically-administered biologic therapies to the front of the eye, but if successful in the clinic, its Neurotrophic Keratitis candidate will vastly improve the patient experience. It will also prove unequivocally that there's biotech business value in front-of-the-eye therapeutics, as opposed to just parenterally-administered back-of-the-eye biologics. On this episode of the Business of Biotech podcast, Atwell shares the stories of his career focus on the cornea, Claris' founding and funding progress, and why there's big, multi-indication opportunity for the company's novel HGF therapeutics in corneal diseases.
Access this and hundreds of episodes of the Business of Biotech videocast under the Listen & Watch tab at bioprocessonline.com.