Versant backs iCo interim efficacy data

iCo Therapeutics (TSX-V:ICO) reported interim efficacy data at a medical conference over the weekend from a few patients in its 15-patient Phase 1 diabetic macular edema trial testing its antisense drug iCo-007.

Versant Partners analyst Doug Loe writes that the case-study data “showed solid evidence of iCo-007 impact on retinal thickness/macular edema at six months at three separate doses, along with up to 13 lines of visual acuity improvement on standard eye chart, but without major side effects like increase in intraocular pressure that arises from long-term steroid therapy.”

iCo is scheduled to report final safety data from all 15 patients in the second quarter this year, including those treated with a 1,000-mircogram single injection, representing the highest dose tested in the trial.

Mr. Loe figures higher doses will likely be used in a Phase 2 trial expected to start before the end of the year. “Partnership interest should intensify once final data are available,” he added.