InMed's Cannabinoid Analog Shows Promise in Treating Age-Related Macular Degeneration

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: INM) has made significant strides in developing a potential treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a prevalent ocular disease affecting millions of Americans. The company's cannabinoid analog, INM-089, has shown encouraging results in preclinical studies, offering hope for patients suffering from this incurable condition.

AMD is the most common cause of severe vision loss in adults over 50, affecting 19.8 million Americans aged 40 and older. The disease progressively damages central vision, impacting daily activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Current treatments primarily focus on symptom management rather than addressing underlying causes, leaving a significant gap in patient care.

InMed's INM-089, launched in November, is designed to provide neuroprotection for retinal cells, potentially slowing or reversing eye damage associated with AMD. The compound, a small molecule, has demonstrated an ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and protect nerve cells in the retinal area, making it a promising candidate for pharmaceutical development.

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have yielded positive results for INM-089. The compound has shown to improve photoreceptor function, enhance retinal pigment epithelium integrity, preserve retinal function, and improve the thickness of the outer nuclear layer where photoreceptors are located. These findings suggest INM-089 could address the critical need for neuroprotection in AMD treatment.

Recent studies have indicated that INM-089 may be particularly effective in treating dry AMD, which accounts for 85% to 90% of all AMD cases. The compound has demonstrated a reduction in extracellular autofluorescent deposits, a hallmark of dry AMD, in preclinical disease models. This discovery positions INM-089 as a potential treatment for Geographic Atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry AMD affecting approximately five million patients globally.

Dr. Eric Hsu, SVP of preclinical research and development at InMed, expressed enthusiasm about the recent findings: "We are very excited with the data from recent preclinical studies demonstrating both significant functional and pathological improvements from INM-089 in the AMD model. We see an opportunity for INM-089 to slow the progression and to fill a significant gap in the treatment of this chronic disease."

As the global population ages, the prevalence of AMD is expected to rise, with an estimated 18.5 million cases of Geographic Atrophy projected worldwide by 2040. This increasing patient population underscores the urgent need for effective treatments like INM-089.

InMed is taking steps to advance INM-089 towards clinical development. The company has engaged a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization to assist with scale-up manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Simultaneously, InMed is developing drug product formulations to support future development activities.

Additional preclinical studies are ongoing to further elucidate INM-089's mechanism of action, including receptor interactions and drug metabolism. These efforts aim to pave the way for potential commercialization of the compound.

As AMD continues to affect millions of older adults worldwide, InMed's progress with INM-089 offers a glimmer of hope for improved treatment options. The company's focus on addressing the underlying causes of AMD, particularly in its dry form, could potentially transform the management of this debilitating ocular disease.