4 Possible Catalysts On Eyegate's Horizon

Eyegate Pharmaceuticals Inc EYEG reported additional encouraging results from the Phase 1b/2a clinical study of its lead product, EGP-437, in patients who have undergone cataract surgery. Terming the lead compound as “promising,” Chardan Capital Markets' Keay Nakae maintains a Buy rating on the company, with a price target of $6.

The Next Step EGP-437

The company is expected to commence a randomized controlled study of its lead product in Q2 2017. “This study will likely randomize patients into either a 14 mA-min dose treatment arm or placebo arm, or into a 4.5 mA-min dose treatment arm or placebo arm [...] The goal of this study will be to determine which of the two treatment doses is most effective,” analyst Nakae mentioned.

Jade Acquisition

Jade had a cross-linked, bio-erodible hyaluronic acid technology, which can be combined with a drug to enhance its effect. The acquisition provides Eyegate with a second product technology platform, apart from its iontophoresis platform.

“The longer term strategy is to utilized the iontophoresis technology in different constructs, such as a disposable contact lens that is capable of delivering other custom pharmaceutical formulations of known drugs into the eye. Hence the Jade hyaluronic acid technology will fill the middle ground in the company's product development pipeline,” Nakae wrote.

OBG Study

The company is in the process of conducting a pilot study evaluating the ability of Eyegate Ocular Bandage Gel (OBG) to accelerate ocular surface re-epithelialization following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The company expects to report data from this study around the end of 2016.

Phase 3 For EGP-437

The company is expected to report top-line data from its Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating EGP-437 as a treatment for non-infectious anterior uveitis in Q2 2017.

At last check, Eyegate shares were down 6.7 percent at $1.67.