Bausch + Lomb Halts Glaucoma Program for BL1107 Eye Drops After Phase 2 Miss, Shifts Focus to Geographic Atrophy Implant
核心洞察
Bausch + Lomb (搜索)'s Phase 2 trial of BL1107 (搜索) eye drops failed to replicate visual function improvements in glaucoma (搜索) patients seen in an earlier Phase 1/2a study.
The randomized, double-masked, 159-patient study did not meet its primary endpoint of change in visual field mean deviation at Day 28.
The company will discontinue topical BL1107 (搜索) for glaucoma (搜索) and redirect resources toward a sustained-release implant formulation for geographic atrophy (搜索), with trials expected in 2028.
Bausch + Lomb (搜索) has discontinued development of BL1107 (搜索) as a topical eye drop for glaucoma (搜索) after the candidate failed to demonstrate visual function improvements in a Phase 2 trial, the company announced Wednesday. The setback eliminates a program that the eyecare company had previously suggested could generate peak annual sales of approximately $800 million.
The randomized, double-masked, three-arm, parallel-group study enrolled 159 adults aged 18 and older with primary open-angle glaucoma (搜索) or ocular hypertension. The trial's primary endpoint — change from baseline in visual field mean deviation at Day 28 (Exit, Hour 2) — was not met. Key secondary endpoints assessing visual function, including low-luminance best-corrected visual acuity responder rates, were also not achieved.
Evidence of ocular target engagement was observed, as demonstrated by meeting a secondary endpoint of reduction in intraocular pressure at Day 28 (Exit, Hour 2). The safety profile was consistent with prior clinical experience with BL1107 (搜索), with no new safety signals identified.
"Based on the totality of the data, the company has decided not to advance the programme in this indication as a topical eye drop," Bausch + Lomb (搜索) stated.
From glaucoma (搜索) to geographic atrophy (搜索)
BL1107 (搜索) is described as a next-generation alpha2b adrenergic receptor (搜索) agonist capable of reducing intraocular pressure and possessing neuroprotective properties. The Phase 2 results failed to replicate encouraging signals from a prior Phase 1/2a study, which had shown intriguing clinical results for improving visual acuity in glaucoma (搜索) patients — albeit with a small sample size.
Bausch + Lomb (搜索) acquired the asset through its 2025 takeover of Whitecap Biosciences (搜索), where the molecule was originally referred to as WB007. The acquisition was driven primarily by the promise of developing a sustained-release implant for the treatment of geographic atrophy (搜索) (GA).
The company will now focus exclusively on that GA program, developing an implant formulation of BL1107 (搜索) in partnership with Ripple Therapeutics (搜索), whose patented technology platform is based on the discovery that drugs can be chemically engineered into controlled-release pharmaceuticals without the use of polymers. The collaboration aims to deliver intravitreal administration every three to six months, with clinical trials expected to begin in 2028.
If successful, BL1107 (搜索) could become the first small-molecule sustained-release implant for GA, addressing a market the company estimates at more than $1 billion.
Portfolio strategy
Yehia Hashad, MD, executive vice president of R&D and chief medical officer at Bausch + Lomb (搜索), framed the decision within the company's broader pipeline philosophy.
"Success in drug development is based on a portfolio, not a single program," Hashad said. "We've intentionally built a diversified pipeline because we know innovation requires pursuing multiple scientific hypotheses simultaneously. Not every program will succeed, but every study helps us make smarter decisions about where to invest."
Bausch + Lomb (搜索)'s portfolio spans Consumer, Pharmaceuticals, Surgical, and Vision Care segments. The company has stated it holds "multiple shots on goal" in GA and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), another leading cause of sight loss.