arGentis Licenses Third Treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome 
FOR RELEASE Monday, May 12, 2008
Memphis, TN -- arGentis Pharmaceuticals, LLC announced today that the company has licensed a third treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) now designated ARG103. This is a continuance of the licensing partnership arGentis has with the Southern College of Optometry (SCO) and becomes the third prospective therapy for DES that utilizes the transdermal delivery of an active pharmaceutical ingredient to affected glands via application of a cream or gel to the outer, upper and lower eyelids.
Developed by Charles Connor, Ph.D., O.D., FAAO, Professor and Director of Research at SCO, ARG103 incorporates a combination of the hormones testosterone and progesterone. A very high percentage of menopausal women respond to ARG101, a testosterone-based transdermal treatment designed for menopausal women who suffer from DES due to waning androgen levels. By combining progesterone with testosterone in ARG103, a larger number of post-menopausal women may respond to treatment. Dr. Connor stated, “One of the key problems with dry eye is inflammation of the surface of the eye. Progesterone provides extra anti-inflammatory power when added to testosterone for dry eye treatment and may even enhance eibomian gland secretion. This treatment addresses two crucial issues in dry eye patients.”
ARG103 will broaden the reach of arGentis’ transdermal ocular technology, which includes ARG101 for use in menopausal women and ARG102, a progesterone-based formulation that treats DES in younger women and men. The company will target the 40 to 60 million dry eye sufferers in the U.S. and over 100 million people worldwide with the three treatments.
"ARG103 strengthens our business and allows arGentis to offer effective treatment options using the novel transdermal delivery method to a larger patient population." said Tom Davis, CEO of arGentis Pharmaceuticals. “We are very pleased with the research being conducted by SCO and look forward to ushering these reatments into clinical testing this year.”
About Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry Eye Syndrome (DES), also known as keratoconjunctivitas sicca (KCS), is the most prevalent non-refractive ophthalmological disorder. It is caused by a lack of tear quality, or lack of tear quantity, adequate tear production without the necessary glandular functionality to maintain them. DES affects as many as 40-60 million people in the U.S. and 100 million in the developed world.
About arGentis
arGentis Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a specialty pharmaceutical company located in Memphis, TN. The company seeks to in-license therapies for chronic diseases with demonstrated proof of concept for further development and commercialization. The company has three drug formulations in development for the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. In addition, arGentis has licensed a treatment for Systemic Sclerosis which has successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial and received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA.
About Southern College of Optometry
Established in Memphis, Tennessee in 1932, Southern College of Optometry is an independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education with a mission to educate men and women in the art and science of optometry. An SCO faculty member since 1988, Dr. Charles Connor, Director of Research Programs, earned his PhD in Cell Biology from Temple University and his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston.
Contacts
Ted Townsend, Vice President and CAO, arGentis Pharmaceuticals, LLC, 901-448-2024
