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Unicycive Reports Key Findings of UNI-494 Efficacy in Preclinical Animal Model of Geographic Atrophy
Treatment with UNI-494 improved contrast vision in animal models of geographic atrophy (GA) GA is an advanced form of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
About this update from Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Treatment with UNI-494 improved contrast vision in animal models of geographic atrophy (GA) GA is an advanced form of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and there are currently no FDA-approved drugs to slow the progression of AMD LOS ALTOS, Calif., Nov. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNCY), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for patients with unmet medical needs, today announced key findings of UNI-494 efficacy from a preclinical study in animal models of Geographic Atrophy (GA). UNI-494 is a mitochondrial potassium channel (mitochondrial KATP) activator in development for treating diseases affected by mitochondrial dysfunction, such as kidney, liver, and ocular diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) progression. GA is an advanced form of AMD. The Company evaluated the effect of UNI-494 in preventing visual function loss in a rat model of GA. The study evaluated four groups (n=8 per group): untreated, vehicle control, low dose of UNI-494, and high dose of UNI-494. GA was induced by bilateral subretinal injection of sodium iodate in experimental animals. UNI-494 was administered orally twice a day (BID) for 20 days, with the first administration of UNI-494 starting before sodium iodate injection. Contrast vision was measured by optokinetic tracking. Treatment of animals with the high dose of UNI-494 resulted in 150% and 200% improvement in contrast vision compared to vehicle and untreated animals. Further preclinical studies are planned to investigate these promising findings of the effect of UNI-494 in improving visual function. “We are excited to report that UNI-494 improved visual function in well-established rat models of GA, which is responsible for 10-20% of blindness in AMD, a disease that affects five million people globally. Contrast sensitivity is widely accepted as a critical aspect of visual function and has been shown to correlate with ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living,” said Shalabh Gupta, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Unicycive. “Importantly, these data support UNI-494’s mechanism of action, which holds promise for indications in which mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated, such as kidney disease, liver disease and other ophthalmic diseases. Our goal is to remain focuse...