Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 Welcome to the Dry Eye Coach podcast series. Click on Dry Eye. Your insider passed to the most exclusive dry eye topic. The series will raise awareness about the current and future state of ocular surface disease. The podcast will focus on a variety of topics.
Speaker 1 00:00:16 Hi, welcome to Industry Spotlight. My name is Wal Whitley, one of the co-medical editors for a dry eye coach. And today we have the pleasure to speak with Peter Sig, Chief Medical Officer of Seton. Welcome Peter.
Speaker 2 00:00:30 Thanks. Well, great being here again. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 00:00:34 Well, how have you been? What's new? What's exciting in your current role?
Speaker 2 00:00:39 Well, I think, uh, one of the most exciting news that we have to share is of course, that we, um, just recently got the, um, approval for lan, uh, which is our, um, new, uh, treatment, um, in the space of glaucoma. Um, so we are really excited about that. And this is, this is literally the, um, the second approval for Sanin with the agents in the last 15 months. So, um, really exciting times for us.
Speaker 1 00:01:08 Yeah, that has definitely been exciting, uh, with, with all the things that you all have been doing in the, in the last year itself. So tell us about the recent approval and what is this partnership with Uber?
Speaker 2 00:01:22 Yeah, so, um, the, the drug in itself, so Olan, right, or Hoag is a propal solution, 0.02%. I know it's a, it's a mass. Um, but, but that basically, so it's, um, as, um, many other, uh, glaucoma drugs, um, indicated for, uh, pox, the primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, um, it's, uh, it's already launched in several other countries, uh, worldwide. So, uh, especially in the Asian markets. So, um, Japan, um, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, um, to name a few. So we already have some good experience with that. And, uh, like I said, I mean, we, um, we got the approval, um, end of September, so that's really exciting. And, and this one was literally, um, co-developed, uh, together with, um, with Uber, uh, who's been our partners in that. Uh, so, um, so yeah, I mean this we believe is the, um, uh, great, um, addition to the physician to help them, you know, the patients to control the iops because as we know, many patients, um, you know, everyone has different needs and we believe that Dolan can definitely satisfy some of them, for sure.
Speaker 1 00:02:45 Well, I wanna hear more and more about this, but first tell me a little bit about this. Japan, You just moved to Japan?
Speaker 2 00:02:54 Yeah. <laugh>. No, so, so I just, uh, moved here together with my, um, with my family. Uh, so my wife, my kids, um, my son, uh, back in, uh, approximately is, yeah, six months ago. So, um, that's really exciting for us. Um, so we are kind of, um, adjusting ourselves, uh, to the Japanese lifestyle. Um, course, you know, being, um, close working together with our new ceo, uh, <inaudible> is also a great opportunity. So, so I think, I mean, this is exciting times, right? We're both professionally as well as personally.
Speaker 1 00:03:28 Yeah. So, so going back to lan, so, so tell me more. It's for reducing the intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. So, you know, looking at the pathways, we, we know traditionally prostaglandin is our UVS thorough pathway. We're hearing about liano, prostate bunod, uh, with nitric oxide. We know about netarsudil as well, tar nit, trabecular meshwork. How is this one different?
Speaker 2 00:03:56 Yeah, so, so this one, um, so it, it's different in the sense that, so first of all, onlan is a, uh, relatively selective, um, p p two receptor agonist. So what it does though, it both, um, increases the umum drainage through the Traba alert, um, meshwork, but, but also the, uh, through the u clear outflow pathway. So this is the, the only product that actually has this, um, pharmacological action, right? So, and we've, um, done quite a lot of, uh, work, um, onlan. So in the dossier we submitted, you know, 12 clinical studies in total. We have three pivotal trials. Uh, we tested it both versus timolol as well as Latanoprost. And, um, you know, we were able to, um, show a, um, a positive, um, benefits risk ratio and, um, that's why we got the approval.
Speaker 1 00:04:55 Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So when we're looking at percentage reduction, is there, is there a number you give us? Is it a percentage?
Speaker 2 00:05:04 Well, I think, I mean, when we're looking at the, uh, milligram mercury that we've been able to reduce it, um, I can say that it's been very similar to, to what we've seen also with, for instance, Tano, uh, both of them, so to speak, that, uh, as you very well know, being, um, somewhat a gold standard. So, um, we're really excited and for us to have been able to, to showcase that.
Speaker 1 00:05:32 Yeah, I mean, targeting that trabecular meshwork, I mean, that is huge because we know in the normal population, the trabecular meshwork, I mean, that's fine, It works just fine, but in our glaucoma patients it's compromised. And so for whatever the, the pathophysiology is on that aspect, now we have a target approach with something such as Alan or Alan that can target it. So is this a once a day, Is it a twice a day dose?
Speaker 2 00:06:00 That's also one, um, has a nice feature of this drug. So it's once a day,
Speaker 1 00:06:06 Once a day. And then is there a preservative, uh, in that, and what is that preservative?
Speaker 2 00:06:13 Um, so there is a, um, preservative, um, so, so we're working on also, you know, options to, um, for preservative, um, three, um, but um, as of right now, it's, uh, preserved.
Speaker 1 00:06:27 Okay. Okay. So whenever we're talking about preservatives, cuz as you know, with dry eye, we're always concerned about that. What were some of the AEs that, that were most commonly found with? Uh, um,
Speaker 2 00:06:40 Well, I think, I mean, it is quite frankly been, um, very similar to what we've seen also with, um, other, um, how to say drugs such as, for instance, with timolol as well as, um, as latan across. So when we're doing that comparison, we saw that, um, you know, percentage wise, um, but very similar.
Speaker 1 00:07:04 So is this a, is this a PGA or is this different? What is it, what is the class gonna be?
Speaker 2 00:07:13 Yeah, so, so that's a great question. So, um, you know, in our discussions with the agency, so, um, because it does work on the pro receptor, so is it literally fits into the class of, uh, the PGAs
Speaker 1 00:07:25 Into the PGA class. Okay. Okay. Uh, so, you know, we, so why do US healthcare providers need another option for patients with glaucoma? And we have plenty. And so what does Amante bring that we don't have? What does the unmet need?
Speaker 2 00:07:43 Yeah, so, so I mean, needless to say, um, we, we know that, you know, not all the patients, um, respond the same way to the same treatments. And, uh, we also know that, um, you know, sometimes having, uh, switches, um, is beneficial. So I think this, this is a discussion, um, to be had between the, uh, physician, um, as well as the patient and, um, to see, you know, how, um, you know, what works best for them.
Speaker 1 00:08:14 You know, one of the, one of the side effects or ease that we often talk about in this class is that conjunctival hyperemia or just ala, is this something that we're seeing with Alan?
Speaker 2 00:08:28 So, um, I think, you know, asked to be expected, um, you know, adverse events, um, will occur, um, in, you know, in many facets and forms. And, you know, I I think this is, um, something, um, to be also, um, expected. You know, definitely this, um, shouldn't be anything that stands out compared to, you know, the two comparators that we've tried, um, tested against in our trials for,
Speaker 1 00:08:57 Well, it seems like Lan snuck up on me because, you know, I, I, I heard about this recently and then, hey, it's approved. Uh, so when does, uh, Santa expect to launch, um, in the us?
Speaker 2 00:09:11 Yeah, so, um, we we're, we're hopeful, uh, so we're, um, you know, working, um, hard on, um, preparing the market. Um, we're hopeful that we will actually have it ready, um, by the end of this fiscal year, uh, so our fiscal year, so to speak. Um, and, um, but yeah, um, I mean, like I said, I mean, we're excited. Uh, we're trying to make sure that everything is ready and then hopefully be able to, um, provide it to as many patients and physicians as needed.
Speaker 1 00:09:43 Well, that's awesome. And you know, as, as we've talked about before, and for the listeners for Dry Eye Coach, you know, when glaucoma definitely, you know, some, an opportunity for us to help our patients preserve their vision by any time you have a glaucoma practice, you have a dry eye practice. So it's always important for us to, to address the pressure preserve the, the visual field, but also making sure we're asking the questions in regards to dry eye, you know, you know, how do your eyes feel? How's your quality of vision? And we have, uh, numerous resources that we can utilize to help address that, whether it's with drops, worm compresses, heat mass, or the various MGD therapies. And so, uh, so Peter, so, uh, um, was the second US approval, and you briefly mentioned this earlier, in less than a year, what can we look forward to in the future?
Speaker 2 00:10:37 Yeah, so, uh, we're working hard of course, of, um, bringing new, uh, therapies, um, to the US market. Um, we have, um, a pretty robust, um, pipeline across all different, you know, therapeutic areas. And I think, you know, now also with the, um, with our new co uh, we're, um, reviewing, you know, what, what is the right strategic fit, uh, for the US market. Um, I think, you know, as you might know, uh, we required, um, one, two years ago, um, Ivans, um, that really helped us also, um, get us a, a footprint, um, on the US market. So I think, you know, as of today we have a pretty, um, broad, um, offering, uh, for the physicians, for the patients, and we're really, you know, looking into ensuring that we can, uh, um, you know, hit the, um, the right needs, um, that's, uh, still exists, uh, such as, for instance with doca from, from from last year. So you'll be hearing more about that. Um, I think, like I said, I mean the pipeline is robust, um, globally, um, and, um, yeah, we'll, we'll be doing our, um, best to ensure that we get more and more, uh, drugs out on the market. You hear more and more about Sandin here on the US market.
Speaker 1 00:12:00 Oh, definitely. I mean, we've been hearing a lot thank you for your all support and you know, cuz our patients are the one that benefits whether it's gonna be with Flarex, whether it's, uh, Tobradex, s st, I mean Vica, I mean, how's that been doing? I mean, since we talked last, I mean, it's been on the market, uh, uh, several more months and how's Beca doing?
Speaker 2 00:12:21 Yeah, so, so we have had beca out since, um, late spring. So been on the market now, um, roughly about six months. And, you know, we, we've been seeing some great, uh, feedback, um, from the physicians. Um, I mean there is a lot of people who are interested, especially patients, um, as you know, I mean, um, you know, with with this approval, you, you finally have something, you know, indicated for this treatment and, um, I think therefore, you know, that this has really been welcomed by the physician. So we kind of, you know, step by step, um, you know, moving, um, and expanding, so to speak. Um, can't, um, give, you know exactly details, um, with regards to, um, you know, the specifics. But, um, like I said, I mean the, the feedback has really been great.
Speaker 1 00:13:12 So, and you know, speaking of approvals, not, not just in the US but beyond the us can you tell us more about the approval of, uh, I wanna say this correctly, cati Norm ca, Norm plus in Canada? Did I say that correctly?
Speaker 2 00:13:28 Yes, you did. You did. So, so we just, um, you know, recently, um, had this, um, approval, uh, for, for Cat, you know, plus I think, I mean this is, um, this is building upon, uh, the, um, technology for, you know, this is a, a dry eye and this is something that, um, as part of our requirement of a French company, um, approximately a decade ago, um, we developed a new technology, which basically, you know, um, at the high level, what what it does is it really helps to, um, stabilize the, the tear film. Um, and um, therefore, you know, this really ensures the better ability, um, of the eye. And, um, we are really excited, you know, this is again, another, you know, great, um, offering for the Canadian market in this sense. Um, so, um, so yeah, I mean overall I think, um, you know, for the Canadian market, um, this is definitely something that, um, is welcomed.
Speaker 1 00:14:35 So to be clear, is that a, a artificial tier? Is that the prescription medication?
Speaker 2 00:14:46 This is an artificial tier.
Speaker 1 00:14:48 It is an artificial tier. Okay, Okay. Well, definitely something that we know patients do benefit from it, uh, cuz it does help, uh, address the symptoms of dry eye disease that many of our patients do, do, do suffer from. So is that, uh, to be specific, is that for evaporative dry eye, is it for AIST efficient or is it for all the above?
Speaker 2 00:15:13 Well, I would say that this is, you know, for all the above, right? I mean, um, it's not necessarily, you know, specified, um, with regards to, you know, which one of those, um, I mean at the end of the day, right? I mean it's, um, artificial, um, here, um, Preservative for instance, we talked about it, um, in the past. Um, but um, but yeah, I mean this, this basically what what it does is, you know, it helps to, uh, restore the three layers of the tear film and thus, you know, helping with eye rotation, discomfort and so forth.
Speaker 1 00:15:52 Yeah. And so, you know, just thinking about the ingredients with mineral oil, glycerol great moisturizer, but you know, it does definitely address all the, the layers, which is important whenever we're prescribing. And that's one of the things oftentimes when we're myself or Dr. Doll is giving our, our lectures is making sure we're prescribing an artificial tier preservative free, a ative component, making sure that you know, that we're addressing that. But patients may still need and likely will need if they have, you know, symptoms and signs, if they're gonna need, uh, prescription therapy as Flarex as I just mentioned earlier, if they have, uh, blepharitis and symptomatic they may need, uh, they may need something such as tobradex T or if they have allergies, we know we observate, which is a great option for our patients as well. Uh, so what else do you want our listeners to know about sanson in general and their work in os d now and in the future?
Speaker 2 00:16:52 Yeah, great. Uh, great question. So I think, you know, um, one of the, um, you know, key, key aspects with, with, with Sanin is that I think we are the only really dedicated, you know, company, um, within, um, the ophthalmology space. And you know, we, we, we know the pretty well, um, been around for about 130 years, so we're not going anywhere. And, um, but we're really excited that we, we've been able to, you know, get our, um, you know, foothold also here in the us, um, bringing out, you know, new therapies, um, innovative therapies, um, that, um, hopefully addresses, uh, many of the unmet needs. And, you know, we, we'll continue doing that. Um, we we're definitely there, uh, listening to, to our patients, to our physicians, um, to to other, you know, stakeholders. Um, and uh, you know, we we're always open, uh, to hear from, uh, from anyone. So, um, yeah, please, um, you know, feel free to reach out.
Speaker 1 00:17:55 Hey Peter, I appreciate you so much. I appreciate you taking the time to, to talk to with our listeners about Santon and what your role is and you know, what we have to look forward in the pipeline pipeline with ante, as you just mentioned. I mean, we have another option or we have an option that we could target the trabecular meshwork as we mentioned, to decrease the pressure in our patients. I mean, the things that you are coming up with the CanNor Plus to relieve the symptoms of patients with dry eye and ocular allergy Vicia, uh, you know, for our pace of Lao conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis are great options. So definitely identifying needs and getting products that's gonna help benefit our patients. And so, uh, any last words you wanna say in general? Cuz we definitely appreciate your time, uh, being with us here on Dry Eye Coach.
Speaker 2 00:18:47 Yeah, no thanks. Um, it's, it's always a pleasure, um, being here and, you know, having these, um, scientific discussions with you. No, I think, I mean, you, you kind of <laugh> summarized, um, well, you know, the, um, the, um, what, what sent and is about and what we're kind of bringing to the market and um, as I said, I mean we are very, uh, very excited. Um, you can definitely count on us, you know, continuing bringing, uh, new options, um, to the US market and really looking forward to our continued collaboration, um, both with the, you know, uh, care providers, physicians, patients, and, uh, very much looking forward to having the opportunity to talk to you again, Walt.
Speaker 1 00:19:30 Well, thanks Peter, and thank you all for listening to our Industry Spotlight for Sanon.
Speaker 2 00:19:38 Thank you.
