FELIQS Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company focused on lipid oxidation-targeting small molecules, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to FLQ-101 for the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The company plans to initiate a Phase 1b/2 study (tROPhy-1) in the first quarter of 2025 in both the US and Japan.
FLQ-101 is designed as a once-daily oral or intravenous solution to enhance physiological vascularization in the retina while protecting against inflammation and abnormal neovascularization. The FDA had previously granted FLQ-101 Orphan Drug designation. FELIQS is also planning to submit an IND for FLQ-104, targeting intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in the second half of 2025.
Significance of Fast Track Designation
The FDA's Fast Track designation is intended to accelerate the development and review of drugs that demonstrate the potential to treat serious conditions and address unmet medical needs. According to FELIQS CEO Ken-ichiro (Nobu) Kuninobu, the designation will facilitate the review process and provide better access to the FDA, potentially shortening the clinical development timeline and improving the chances of a successful program.
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): An Unmet Need
ROP is a developmental vascular disorder affecting premature neonates, characterized by abnormal retinal blood vessel growth in incompletely vascularized retinas. In the United States, ROP affected approximately 27,000 premature infants in 2019 and remains a leading cause of childhood blindness. Current treatments, such as laser photocoagulation and anti-VEGF therapy, are administered after ROP develops, require anesthesia, and carry risks such as retinal detachment and intraocular infection. These treatments' efficacy depends on early detection and management and may be associated with long-term sequelae.
FLQ-101: A Potential Preventative Approach
FLQ-101 represents a novel approach as a potential preventative treatment for ROP. By enhancing physiological vascularization and protecting against inflammation, FLQ-101 aims to address the underlying mechanisms of ROP before the onset of severe complications. The planned Phase 1b/2 study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of FLQ-101 in premature neonates at risk of developing ROP.
