Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate

①Glaucoma and ocular hypertension [GLANATEC® ophthalmic solution 0.4%]

This drug is an eye drop preparation with a novel mechanism of action, the first of its kind in the world, for treating glaucoma.
The drug lowers intraocular pressure by inhibiting rho-kinase, a type of protein kinase, and promoting the outflow of aqueous humor from the main collector channel via the trabecular meshwork/Schlemm’s canal.

In 2002, DWTI out-licensed the rights to the drug to Kowa Co., Ltd., which then moved ahead with development and launched the drug in Japan under the brand name Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate in December 2014.
*Because all rights in Japan and worldwide relating to Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate have been out-licensed to Kowa, the following two drugs are also being developed by Kowa.

②Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy [K-321]

Since Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate is a rho-kinase inhibitor, it has been suggested that the compound may also act on other kinases in the eye, leading to investigations of its applicability to other ophthalmic diseases. As part of these efforts, development of the compound as a treatment for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is underway.
FECD is a disease in which corneal edema and opacity occur as a result of damage to corneal endothelial cells, resulting in diminished acuity of vision.
Although there are few patients suffering from FECD in Japan, it is a common disease in Europe and the U.S.
There is currently no effective drug treatment for FECD, which is often treated with corneal transplant surgery. We hope that our compound will become a new drug for treating FECD.

③Glaucoma and ocular hypertension [GLA-ALPHA® combination ophthalmic solution]

This is the world’s first fixed combination eye drops containing the active ingredients GLANATEC® ophthalmic solution 0.4% (rho-kinase inhibitor ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate) and an Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist (brimonidine tartrate).
The use of multiple drug combinations is becoming the standard of care for the treatment of glaucoma. We expect that this drug will improve adherence and contribute to the treatment of glaucoma patients.

①Glaucoma and ocular hypertension [GLANATEC® ophthalmic solution 0.4%]							● in Japan in Asia
②Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy[K-321]				● in U.S., etc.
③Glaucoma and ocular hypertension [GLA-ALPHA® combination ophthalmic solution]							● in Japan

Development Progress