Cascade Prodrug Inc and Uneedle are advancing their collaboration to evaluate CPD100, Cascade’s first-in-class hypoxia-targeted therapeutic in neovascular or wet AMD, according to a press release issued by Uneedle. 

Cascade selected Uneedle’s Bella-Vue suprachoroidal microneedle system to support targeted delivery of CPD100 to the choroid, where disease-driving angiogenic processes originate in wet AMD. Uneedle will present the collaboration and initial development progress publicly for the first time at the OIS 9th Retina Innovation Summit, on July 14th in Montreal, the press release stated. 

CPD100 is designed to act preferentially in hypoxic disease environments. In vitro studies under hypoxic conditions showed that low concentrations of CPD100 induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in endothelial cells while preserving retinal cell viability. These findings support the potential for a targeted anti-angiogenic effect in hypoxic regions of the macula, according to the press release. 

Uneedle’s Bella-Vue platform has been evaluated across multiple preclinical and clinical studies, including a phase 1 study in wet AMD, demonstrating the feasibility, safety, and accuracy of suprachoroidal delivery. Initial in vivo tolerability data from Cascade’s first suprachoroidal administration study using Bella-Vue further support progression into the planned preclinical proof-of-concept study with CPD100, which is already underway, the press release stated.

Cascade and Uneedle aim to complete the ongoing preclinical proof-of-concept work and support an initial INTERACT-FDA meeting in Q4 2026. Cascade is also securing funding to complete CMC activities and nonclinical GLP-enabling studies required to support IND clearance and subsequent clinical development. RP