arGentis licenses eye treatment

Memphis Business Journal
May 12, 2008

arGentis Pharmaceuticals LLC has licensed a third treatment for dry eye syndrome.

The treatment is designated ARG103 and is a continuance of a licensing partnership the Memphis-based company has with the Southern College of Optometry.

The therapy, like the two previous, utilizes a cream or gel applied to the outer, upper and lower eyelids.

Developed by Charles Connor, professor and director of research at SCO, ARG103 incorporates a combination of the hormones testosterone and progesterone.

ARG103 will broaden the reach of arGentis' transdermal ocular technology, which includes ARG101 for use in menopausal women, and ARG102, a progesterone-based formulation that treats dry eye syndrome in younger women and men.

The three treatments combined have a total worldwide market of 100 million people who have been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome, the company said.

arGentis Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company that seeks to in-license therapies for chronic diseases with demonstrated proof of concept for further development and commercialization.