Drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination processes are often important factors in determining the success or failure of treatment. For glaucoma treatment, the target site of treatment and the different routes of administration are involved, which makes it very necessary to study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of glaucoma drugs in animal models. Ace Therapeutics offers a wide range of ocular pharmacokinetic study services, customizing the appropriate analytical approach to meet the specific requirements of each target area of your glaucoma drug's pharmacokinetic study.
Pharmacokinetics of Drugs in Glaucoma
Glaucoma can affect either the anterior segment or the posterior segment. From a drug delivery perspective, the anterior and posterior segments are the two main routes of ocular drug delivery, which are completely different and have unique properties.
Fig. 1 The anterior and posterior segments from a pharmacokinetic perspective. (Durairaj, C, 2016)
The primary routes of drug delivery to the anterior segment typically include topical administration, subconjunctival and intra-anterior chamber injections. Posterior segment delivery route pathways include transscleral delivery and intravitreal injection. When glaucoma drugs are administered in different dosage forms via different routes, the concentration of the drug in the ocular tissue or fluid changes. Therefore, the pharmacokinetic processes associated with each of these major routes of administration should be discussed. Ocular pharmacokinetics are generally studied through the design and selection of appropriate animal models, which can enhance the development and optimization of ocular dosage forms at the preclinical stage.
Investigable Glaucoma Formulations
Understanding the pharmacokinetics of each drug, biologic or delivery release system is essential. We can customize your study for different formulations.
- Small molecule
- Antibody
- Eye drop
- Gel
- Liposome
- Hydrogel
- Nanoparticle
- Insert
- Additional formulations
Pharmacokinetic Studies in Animal Models
- Perform in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in animal models. Ocular studies can be performed in most species, including rodents, dogs, pigs, and especially rabbits. All animal procedures were performed according to guidelines.
- Administered according to standard of care, the specific routes may include: topical, intra-atrial, intra-scleral, intra-stromal, intravitreal injection, periocular, sub-conjunctival, subretinal, transscleral, implant or device, etc.
- Specific samples can be collected either in vivo or autopsy. In vivo samples include blood, tears, atrial fluid, etc. Ocular dissection includes: choroid, ciliary body, cornea, retina, sclera, optic nerve and others.
- Perform pharmacokinetic analysis to investigate the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of the drug by ocular tissues. By understanding the major PK values of the compounds, PK simulations of intravitreal, anterior chamber, subconjunctival and topical drug delivery systems can be performed to guide the design of drug delivery vehicles for the efficient treatment of glaucoma.
Pharmacokinetic studies provide valuable information about drug penetration into the eye and its bioavailability in target tissues, as well as how the drug is distributed in the ocular tissues. These preclinical data will be evaluated along with other data to guide future drug optimization efforts.
Ace Therapeutics has an experienced and highly skilled staff to ensure good precision drug delivery and high accuracy anatomical analysis. Ultimately, we provide you with comprehensive and complete parameter and curve results. If you need a professional and efficient ocular pharmacokinetic study, please do not hesitate to contact us.
References
- Durairaj, C. Ocular Pharmacokinetics. In: Pharmacologic Therapy of Ocular Disease. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 2016, 242.
- del Amo E M. Pharmacokinetic Models: Indispensable Tools for Ophthalmic Drug Development. 2022.