Otonomy has moved two candidates into registration trials for middle and inner ear disorders and plans to have a third ready for the clinic next year.

The original victim of Lucentis' (ranibizumab) efficacy, Pfizer's Macugen, has been officially withdrawn from development in diabetic macular oedema, months after Pfizer handed back another DMO project. The move calls into question not only Pfizer's position in the indication, but also the prospects for a range of other compounds in development for DMO (Table 1)

Ophthalmology has long been a bright spot for venture investors given the potential market size, health care burden, and high unmet medical need associated with many eye diseases. Based on a recent analysis by Start-Up magazine, there is no sign that trend is diminishing. Using Elsevier's Strategic Transactions database, Start-Up found that private backers have poured nearly $1.8 billion into 58 ophthalmology start-ups since 1999, with the money split nearly 50/50 in terms of device and drug investments. This trend is likely to accelerate as a number of new acquirers emerge to play in what was once a niche area.

MacuSight (US) has named Gerald Wroblewski vice-president of operations. He previously served as chief operating officer at the start-up medical device company iScience Interventional. MacuSight is developing its proprietary sirolimus product for the treatment of diabetic macular edema, wet age-related macular degeneration and other ophthalmic indications.