A new drug company called BNS Ophthalmics (BNSO) – formed through a partnership of Israeli nanotechnology drug discovery and development company BioNanoSim and Greek pharmaceutical company Rafarm — will leverage nanotechnology to develop novel treatments for serious eye conditions.

Cofounded by Prof. Simon Benita and Yissum, the tech-transfer company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, BNS’s first product under development is BNSO-1.

This nano formulation will allow the potent anti-inflammatory drug Tacrolimus – an unstable, water-insoluble drug that cannot permeate the cornea – to be applied in the eyes for treating a wide range of eye conditions.

BNSO is to initiate a phase I/IIA clinical study of BNSO-1 later this year in chronic anterior uveitis patients. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan drug designation for this indication. If clinical results are positive, the company could be approved for an accelerated regulatory approval track.

Image - Courtesy of BNSO