New Zealand researchers are participating in an international, randomised, multicentre phase 3 trial evaluating a drug-eluting intraocular lens system designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) for up to three years following cataract surgery.
Three NZ centres – Auckland Eye, Southern Eye Specialists and Capital Eye Specialists – have been selected alongside sites in the US and the Philippines to participate in SpyGlass Pharma’s phase 3 Rhine study. The study is evaluating the bimatoprost drug pad-IOL system (BIM-IOL System) for the treatment of elevated IOP in patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and requiring cataract surgery.
The BIM-IOL System consists of two proprietary non-bioerodible drug-eluting pads that attach to a monofocal IOL implanted during routine cataract surgery. It’s designed to consistently deliver three years of bimatoprost, an FDA-approved prostaglandin analogue.
Auckland Eye lead investigator Dr Dean Corbett said slow-release microdosing is gaining traction across ophthalmic care. The purpose of this study is to determine if the SpyGlass system can reduce IOP while minimising the burden of drops, including adherence challenges and treatment-related side effects.
Referring to the ongoing Tigris phase 1/2 studies, Dr Corbett said early results* indicate the system is achieving its primary outcome of reducing IOP. “We’ve not had to put any of the patients receiving active implant treatment on rescue medications for pressure control, which suggests it’s been very effective,” he said.
