Azura Ophthalmics

Azura Ophthalmics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of treatments for ocular surface diseases. The company was founded in 2014 by Yair Alster, M.D., and two other Israeli ophthalmologists. Dr. Alster, who serves as the Chief Technology Officer, has a notable history of co-founding several successful ophthalmic companies, including some acquired by major pharmaceutical firms like Roche-Genentech and Allergan. The company's leadership team is further strengthened by CEO Marc Gleeson, who brought extensive experience from his 14-year tenure at Allergan, where he was involved in developing and commercializing treatments for ocular surface diseases.

The company's core strategy is to apply dermatological principles to ophthalmology, specifically by developing ophthalmic keratolytics to treat the root cause of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), a leading cause of Dry Eye Disease (DED). MGD is a progressive condition where the eyelid glands become blocked by an abnormal buildup of keratin, which alters tear film and can lead to inflammation, irritation, and corneal damage. Azura's approach addresses this by creating formulations that break down these keratin blockages, a method historically used in dermatology. This business model centers on developing and gaining regulatory approval for first-in-class pharmaceutical products to address this significant unmet need in the ophthalmic market. Operations are based in Tel Aviv, Israel, with additional activities in Australia and the United States.

Azura's lead product candidate is AZR-MD-001, a topical ophthalmic ointment containing selenium sulfide (SeS2). This product is designed to be applied to the eyelid margin to directly treat MGD. Its multi-modal mechanism of action works by softening existing keratin blockages, slowing the production of new keratin to prevent recurrence, and stimulating the glands to increase the production of lipids essential for a healthy tear film. Having successfully completed Phase 2 trials that demonstrated statistically significant improvements in both the signs and symptoms of MGD, the company has advanced AZR-MD-001 into Phase 3 registration studies. Azura has raised a total of $37.2 million over three funding rounds, with its latest Series C round in October 2020 securing $20 million from investors including OrbiMed, TPG, and Brandon Capital to fund these crucial late-stage trials.

Keywords: ophthalmic keratolytics, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, MGD treatment, dry eye disease, ocular surface disease, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical, AZR-MD-001, selenium sulfide, Yair Alster, Marc Gleeson, ophthalmic therapies, eyelid margin disease, drug development, keratin production, tear film, clinical trials, venture capital, OrbiMed, TPG, Brandon Capital, ophthalmology, dermatology, blepharitis, contact lens discomfort