Lonza and Kodiak Sciences Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Palo Alto, California developing therapies treating retinal disease, have signed agreements for the clinical supply of Kodiak's therapeutic candidates. Under the agreement, Lonza will manufacture material at multiple sites, including Slough, UK, Visp, Switzerland, and Nansha, China.

Among Kodiak’s drug candidates are KSI 201 for treating wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a degenerative disease of the retina. Wet AMD is caused when blood vessels meant to nourish the retina instead are dysregulated and invade through the retina. In the short term, these neovessels are immature and leak fluid into the retina causing visual distortion and acute blindness. Over the longer term, other disease pathologies such as inflammation and fibrosis lead to photoreceptor death and atrophy. KSI 201 is single agent, multi-inhibitor biologic in development that is designed for greater efficacy, more durability of efficacy, and less frequent administration. KS 401 is a biologic in development that blocks activation of the complement system, potentially lessening disease activity in dry AMD patients.Dry AMD is a disease caused by a sustained local inflammation in the eye. The company’s medicines are based on a proprietary antibody bioconjugate product platform, according to company information.

Source: Lonza