SARcode Raises $44M for Late-stage Dry Eye Study

SARcode Bioscience raised $44 million to support Phase III development of its topical drug SAR 1118 for the treatment of dry eye syndrome.

Ophthalmic biopharma firm SARcode Bioscience raised $44 million in a Series B round of financing to support Phase III development of its topical drug SAR 1118 for the treatment of dry eye syndrome.

SAR 1118 is a small molecule antagonist of the integrin, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, or CD11a/CD18), which SARcode is developing for a range of ophthalmic indications including dry eye syndrome and diabetic macular edema. Phase III trials evaluating SAR 1118 for the dry eye syndrome indication are projected to start before the end of 2012.

A Phase II study in 230 patients with dry eye disease showed treatment with SAR 1118 led to increased tear production within two weeks and dose-dependent improvements in visual-related function at 12 weeks,