Qlaris raises $24 million for development of IOP-lowering therapy

Key Takeaways

• Qlaris Bio has raised $24 million for the clinical development of QLS-111, a new drug candidate for patients with glaucoma. 
• If approved, QLS-111 would be the first glaucoma medication to target episcleral venous pressure, an important determinant of intraocular pressure. 

High intraocular pressure (IOP) is the main risk factor for glaucoma and lowering IOP is the primary treatment. Episcleral venous pressure (EVP), the pressure of the blood vessels in the sclera, or ‘whites’ of the eye, is a main determinant of IOP; yet there are no approved drugs that target EVP. 

Qlaris Bio has raised $24 million for the clinical development of QLS-111, a new drug candidate for patients with glaucoma that treats IOP by targeting EVP, according to a press release. QLS-111 is being tested for safety, tolerability, optimal dosing and efficacy in two phase 2 trials among patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

“We are grateful to have the support of this outstanding syndicate of leading life science investors, which will enable the continued development of our lead product, QLS-111,” Qlaris CEO and co-founder Thurein Htoo, MS, MBA, said in the release. “Qlaris is dedicated to developing new mechanisms of action that target unaddressed parameters within IOP regulation, an area of critical need.”

For more information about the QLS-111 clinical trials, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06249152 and https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06016972 or contact Lisa Brandano at 978-930-2103 or lbrandano@qlaris.bio.

Edited by Miriam Kaplan, PhD

Source: Sara Kellner, Healio Optometry News, May 7, 2024; see source article