Avedro Acquires Riboflavin IP for Transepithelial Cross-Linking in Keratoconus Therapy

Avedro acquired full rights from the Istituto laser Microchirurgia Oculare (ILMO) in Italy to IP that underpins its transepithelial  ParaCel™ riboflavin product for the degenerative eye disorder keratoconus. ParaCel is designed to provide a transepithelial cross-linking formulation for treating keratoconus without removing the epithelium.

The firm says the ability to perform transepithelial cross-linking eliminates the pain and healing time associated with other cross-linking techniques. The combination of ParaCel with the new 45 mW KXL™ system effectively enables cross-linking time to be reduced to just minutes. Roberto Pinelli, M.D., on who’s early research the acquired IP is based, has been appointed to Avedro’s medical advisory board.

Two days ago FDA granted orphan drug status to Avedro’s VibeX  (0.1.% riboflavin ophthalmic solution)  for use with its KXL System for corneal cross-linking  in the treatment of keratoconus. The firm recently completed a U.S.-based Phase III program evaluating corneal cross-linking for the treatment of progressive keratoconus and post-Lasik ectasia.