R-Tech Ueno Ltd, headquartered in Tokyo, has acquired the right to develop and commercialize DE-105 from Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

DE-105 is a treatment targeting at persistent corneal epithelial defects that Santen has been developing. By acquisition of this right, R-Tech Ueno will undertake the development and commercialization of the product.

In addition to this agreement, R-Tech Ueno has also signed an agreement with the inventor of DE-105, Professor Emeritus Teruo Nishida as medical advisor of R-Tech
DE-105 is an ophthalmic solution of neurotrophic factor peptide, discovered and developed from academia.

It has been developed as a treatment for severe persistent corneal epithelial defects caused by corneal sensory nerve disorder (currently at the stage of Phase I clinical trial in the United States and Phase II clinical trial in Japan).

Damage to corneal sensory nerves causes various corneal and conjunctival epithelial disorders (persistent corneal epithelial defects, post-LASIK corneal epithelial defects, severe dry eye, disorder associated with decreased corneal sensitivity caused by long-term contact lens wear, etc.); however, the company claims that treatment utilizing existing ophthalmic solutions has not been satisfying.

The company aims to develop this agent as a curative treatment for various corneal and conjunctival epithelial disorders targeting at not only persistent corneal epithelial defects but also other diseases. The subject of acquisition this time not only includes the patents of DE-105 application in the fields of ophthalmology, dermatology, gastrointestinal medicine but also the right of development overseas as well as in Japan.

In the US, Phase I clinical trial has been completed, and the company plans to actively undertake global development in collaboration with Professor Emeritus Teruo Nishida, the inventor of DE-105.

The company plans to reveal the potential effects of this arrangement in the earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.