Ingenia Therapeutics is broadening the reach of its drug platform that directly activates TIE2, a receptor that stabilizes blood vessels, from ophthalmology into kidney disease. With global drugmaker MSD expanding trials of a candidate licensed from the company, and Ingenia's own candidate now moving into U.S. clinical testing, attention is turning to the prospect of a second licensing deal.
Ingenia recently filed an investigational new drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a Phase 1/2a trial of IGT-303, a candidate treatment for chronic kidney disease, according to IV Research on the 29th. The trial will assess safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in 94 participants, including healthy adults and patients with chronic kidney disease, at five U.S. sites. The filing extends development into the United States following earlier trials in Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.
IGT-303 applies TIE2, a receptor involved in vascular stability and barrier function in endothelial cells, to kidney disease. Ingenia says directly activating the receptor can restore function in damaged glomerular microvessels. While existing chronic kidney disease treatments focus on slowing progression by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, Ingenia targets the kidney's microvasculature itself.
IV Research said the chances of a global licensing deal could improve if IGT-303 delivers clear proof of concept in humans. The company has also set securing clinical data and a licensing agreement in 2027 as key goals.
IGT-427, which MSD is developing, is also progressing. Licensed by Ingenia to EyeBio in 2022, the candidate is now being developed as MK-8748 after MSD acquired EyeBio. It is a dual-mechanism candidate for retinal disease that directly activates TIE2 while inhibiting VEGF.
MSD recently began a global Phase 3 trial in diabetic macular edema, triggering a $5 million milestone payment, or about 6.8 billion won, to Ingenia. The payment shows the commercial potential of the TIE2 technology, generating actual royalties as a partner advances through later-stage trials rather than stopping at the signing of a licensing deal.
Analysts are focused on how far the TIE2 platform can be extended. Ingenia is also developing IGT-302, a glaucoma candidate that activates TIE2 to restore function in Schlemm's canal, which drains fluid from the eye, and thereby lower intraocular pressure. The company aims to file an IND in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Ingenia also holds a platform called LCIDEC, which combines TIE2 activation with the removal of disease-causing proteins.
