TargeGen Inc. (San Diego) announced the completion of a single-center Phase I clinical trial of its drug TG100801, being developed as a topical treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other eye diseases. TG100801, a small-molecule, multi-target kinase inhibitor, was evaluated in 42 healthy volunteer subjects.
According to preliminary results announced in a press release in February, the drug was found to be well tolerated in humans at both test doses when applied topically twice daily for 14 days. Final results of the Phase I study are expected in April 2007. TargeGen said it plans to initiate Phase II clinical trials in patients with wet AMD by mid-2007.
According to the TargeGen press release, TG100801, applied topically, is intended to suppress disease-related edema, angiogenesis and inflammation simultaneously in diseases such as AMD, diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Results from a recent survey show people in Oregon spend an average of 3 hours a day at a computer screen. One-third of respondents reported experiencing eye strain or discomfort during computer use. The rate of eye strain or discomfort was higher in younger users, the survey found.
Almost half of respondents to the telephone survey, sponsored by the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association, reported using a computer at home, and about 15% said they use the computer as much at home as at work.
Symptoms reported by respondents included headaches, double vision, excessive tearing, dry eyes, eye pain, excessive blinking or squinting, blurriness and difficulty focusing. Respondents between the ages of 18 to 44 years reported these symptoms more frequently than older respondents.
The survey, conducted in January 2007 by Riley Research Associates, gathered information from 396 respondents.