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Calm Water Therapeutics
PegPlus
Propriety Polymer
Our proprietary polymers have applications in a variety of eye disorders ranging from dry eye disease to ADC-induced corneal toxicity.
Calm Water has demonstrated the effectiveness of its Polymer Mediated Barrier (PBM) in clinical dry eye disease studies and mitigation of ADC-induced toxicity in preclinical models. We are currently advancing both of these indications.
The tear film plays a critical role in overall ocular health. Any disruption to it, independent of cause, can lead to corneal and conjunctival damage accompanied by physical symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. In iatrogenic disease such as ADC-induced toxicity, adverse ocular events can lead to treatment disruption and even termination of life sustaining systemic therapies.
At Calm Water Therapeutics, our approach has focused on restoring tear film integrity and barrier function through the use of polymers designed to optimize film structure. Our lead molecule is PegPlus, a graft copolymer of poly-lysine and polyethylene glycol.​ PEGPlus leverages two properties, polylysine's positive charge and the hygroscopic nature of PEG. Biologic surfaces and fluids naturally carry substantial negative charges. This is true for corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells and mucin, the predominant ocular surface component. Polylysine, with its substantial positive charge, adheres strongly to these negatively charged moieties forming an electrostatically stabilized film and protective barrier on the ocular surface. The hygroscopic PEG, forms a “comb” or “brush” orientation projecting outward from the ocular surface into the tear film interface, attracting water, enhancing lubricity, and imparting tear film stability. We refer to this structure as a Polymer Mediated Barrier (PBM). Where the tear film has been compromised, the PBM restores it as we have shown clinically in two studies. In brief, our PegPlus® eye drop showed improved tear film characteristics compared with the market-leading artificial tear. Via this same PMB structure, Calm Water Therapeutics has demonstrated in vitro mitigation of the ocular adverse events associated with Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC).
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