The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to Roca Therapeutics for its lead candidate RCT002, marking a historic milestone as the first time radiation maculopathy has been formally recognized as a distinct medical indication. This regulatory achievement represents a critical advancement for patients suffering from this rare, vision-threatening condition.
Addressing an Unmet Medical Need
Radiation maculopathy is a rare, vision-threatening condition that can develop after radiotherapy for cancers such as uveal melanoma, head and neck tumors, or brain malignancies. The condition occurs when radiation damages the macula – the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Currently, there is no approved treatment, and patients are provided with only off-label therapies which often yield poor results.
The condition commonly affects patients who have undergone radiotherapy not only for ocular or periocular tumors, but also for malignancies of the head and neck or brain, where incidental radiation to the eye may occur. For this indication, off-label treatment remains the prevailing clinical practice, albeit with poor results.
First-in-Class Therapeutic Approach
RCT002 represents a game-changing first-in-class small molecule eye drop developed within two years from Roca's proprietary platform. The therapy has been rationally designed to safely and concomitantly address multiple disease drivers, including resistant neovascularization, inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress.
The drug candidate is designed to target CXCR2 and DRAK1, two key drivers of treatment resistance in retinal diseases. By simultaneously addressing exacerbated angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and chronic macrophage-driven inflammation, RCT002 offers a novel, multi-mechanistic approach distinct from existing anti-VEGF therapies.
If successful, RCT002 would be the first non-invasive therapy for patients at risk of vision loss after radiotherapy. The development of RCT002 is supported by a solid translational evidence pharmacological data package.
Clinical and Regulatory Pathway
"Recognition of radiation maculopathy as a distinct indication marks a critical step forward in patient care – enabling earlier diagnosis, targeted therapeutic development and expanded access to specialized treatments for patients experiencing vision loss after radiotherapy for eye, head and neck or brain cancers," said Zaki Sellam, executive chairman of Roca Therapeutics.
The orphan designation opens the door to accelerated innovation and regulatory support, creating a clear pathway for investment in a high-need, under-addressed therapeutic area. Roca plans to begin first-in-human clinical trials of RCT002 in 2026 and is currently raising funds to support the program.
Broader Therapeutic Potential
While radiation maculopathy serves as RCT002's lead indication, the therapy's multi-mechanistic approach positions it for broader applications. Secondary larger indications include Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and other neovascular retinopathies, potentially expanding its therapeutic impact across multiple retinal diseases characterized by treatment resistance to standard anti-VEGF therapies.
Company Background and Support
Roca Therapeutics, co-founded in 2021 by a team of academic innovators from Université Côte d'Azur/CNRS/Inserm/IRCAN/ICN and Landmark BioVentures AG, is pioneering non-invasive, first-in-class therapies for severe ocular diseases with high unmet medical need. The company has secured early-stage financial and strategic backing from the 3B Future Health Fund and is supported by a broad coalition of institutional partners, including SATT Sud-Est, Bpifrance, and various regional development organizations.
