What is it?
It’s a drop used once daily to lower IOP and it is a combo of two drugs, latanoprost and rhopressa.
If you’re thinking, “WTH is rhopressa?” you’re probably not alone. It’s still pending FDA approval but here is your rundown.
Rhopressa is a drop that works to reduce IOP via three different mechanisms.
1. It increases fluid outflow through the trabecular meshwork by inhibiting Rho Kinase (ROCK).
2. It reduces fluid production in the eye by inhibiting the norepinephrine transporter (NET).
3. It lowers episcleral venous pressure.
A new drug application was submitted to the FDA back in February of this year.
Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog and prostaglandin analogs remain the first line treatment for most glaucoma patients.
So rhopressa + latanoprost = roclatan could be a big deal. The clinical studies thus far have shown roclatan to be superior at lowering IOP than rhopressa or latanoprost alone (study highlights here). If the study results continue to be positive, the company plans to submit a new drug application in the beginning of 2018.
