Azura Ophthalmics is a clinical-stage company focused on developing medicines to treat Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and related eye diseases. Its lead candidate, AZR-MD-001, is a topical ointment reformulated with prescription-strength selenium disulfide (SeS2) designed for ophthalmic use and applied to the lower lid. AZR-MD-001 has shown a positive safety and efficacy profile in several studies and, based on Phase 2 data and interactions with the FDA, the company plans to proceed to registration studies in 2021. Azura’s approach targets abnormal hyperkeratinization—the build-up and shedding of proteins at the Meibomian gland—that the company says is the root cause of obstructive MGD, leveraging dermatological knowledge from sebaceous gland treatments. The company has a pipeline of new chemical entities from preclinical through Phase 2 for a range of ocular and lid-margin diseases, and aims to deliver the first-in-class ophthalmic keratolytics. Azura is headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, with operations in Australia and the U.S., and raised funding to support upcoming registration studies. Azura Ophthalmics, headquartered in Tel Aviv‑Yafo, Israel, is developing an innovative portfolio of compounds combined with a novel drug delivery platform to treat meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Its lead program targets the root cause of MGD, which the company says is the leading cause of dry eye disease. Azura has completed an initial clinical proof-of-concept study that showed efficacy and is preparing for a phase 2a trial. The company has an experienced management team with prior exits and deep ophthalmology and dry-eye drug development experience. Recent executive additions, including a new Chief Medical Officer, are intended to bolster clinical development and regulatory efforts. The new financing will fund expanded clinical studies and talent acquisition to advance the program toward regulatory clearance.

Total raised

$36M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Oct 2020