Ophthaltec eyes up deal with Moorfields

Collaboration agreed

Ophthaltec Ltd, a start-up specialising in the development of treatments and diagnostics for eye disease, has agreed a collaboration with Moorfields Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer of ophthalmic medicines, to work together on a number of treatments. Moorfield Pharmaceuticals is wholly owned by the Moorfields Eye Hospital National Health Service Trust in London, one of the world’s leading specialists in the field.

Ophthaltec was set up in 2007 to develop a portfolio of ophthalmic products it has in-licensed from Moorfields Eye Hospital and the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London. Ophthalmics is not an area that receives great attention from pharmaceutical companies and the ageing of the population means there will be increasing need in the field.

The major diseases of the eye such as Age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma are more prevalent in the elderly.

Under the terms of the deal Moorfields Pharmaceuticals will provide Ophthaltec with a range of formulation and GMP manufacturing capabilities.