DEDHAM, Mass. – Qlaris Bio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on ocular diseases, has announced the development of a new fixed-dose combination therapy that merges its lead investigational drug, QLS-111, with latanoprost, the most commonly prescribed prostaglandin analogue for glaucoma. The new preservative-free formulation, known as QLS-111-FDC, is designed to improve intraocular pressure (IOP) control for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), ocular hypertension (OHT), and normal tension glaucoma (NTG).
The therapy pairs two complementary mechanisms of action. QLS-111 targets episcleral venous pressure (EVP)—a key contributor to IOP not addressed by existing treatments—while latanoprost increases uveoscleral outflow, the current standard of care approach. By combining these approaches in a single eye drop, Qlaris aims to enhance pressure reduction while improving treatment adherence.
“Patients who remain uncontrolled on monotherapy often struggle with complex multi-drug regimens, which can negatively affect compliance and outcomes,” said Dr. Barbara Wirostko, Chief Medical Officer at Qlaris Bio. “A fixed-dose combination simplifies treatment, and with QLS-111 showing strong safety and additive efficacy, it may offer a new option for patients needing more robust IOP control.”
In a recent Phase 2 trial known as the Apteryx study, QLS-111 delivered over 3 mmHg of additional IOP reduction when added to latanoprost monotherapy, without causing increased hyperemia or other significant side effects. These results support the potential of QLS-111-FDC to provide improved efficacy without compromising tolerability.
Dr. Alex Huang, Associate Professor at the Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego Health, praised the combination’s dual targeting strategy. “This approach tackles two key pathways in IOP regulation and could improve outcomes for patients in a single daily drop,” he said. “Reducing EVP alongside conventional outflow modification marks a significant evolution in glaucoma therapy.”
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and IOP reduction remains the only proven method to slow disease progression. Qlaris Bio’s combination therapy represents a potential breakthrough in addressing unmet needs for patients whose IOP remains uncontrolled with standard treatments.
