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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><U><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#810081
size=3>tober 22, 2009 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time <IMG class=icon
alt="" src="http://www.businesswire.com/images/icons/icon_permalink.gif">
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<H1 class="epi-fontLg bwtextaligncenter"><B>Aerie Pharmaceuticals’ ROCK
Inhibitor, AR-12286, Demonstrates Positive Results in Glaucoma Patients in a
Phase 2a Study</B> </H1>
<DIV id=story_subheadline>
<P class=" bwtextaligncenter"><I><B>Novel Drug has Potential to Create
Significant Improvement in Function of Diseased Tissue</B></I> </P></DIV><!-- start story body -->
<P>BRIDGEWATER, N.J. & RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(<A
href="http://www.businesswire.com/">BUSINESS WIRE</A>)--Aerie Pharmaceuticals, a
biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel
treatments for glaucoma, today announced positive results from a Phase 2a study
of its Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, AR-12286. The study evaluated the safety,
tolerability and efficacy of three different doses of AR-12286 in 88 patients
with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. According to the study
results, AR-12286 was safe and well-tolerated. There were no serious side
effects reported in the study; mild to moderate and transient hyperemia (eye
redness) was observed in a minority of patients. In addition, the Phase 2a study
achieved statistical significance in demonstrating lowered intraocular pressure
(IOP) with both once-daily and twice-daily treatment. AR-12286 achieved a
maximum change of mean IOP of 28% from baseline, which is comparable to, or
exceeds, pressure lowering attained by the most commonly used glaucoma drugs as
reported in other studies. The Company plans on submitting the full data set for
presentation at an upcoming medical meeting. </P>
<P>David L. Epstein, M.D., Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology,
Duke University Medical Center, and Co-Founder of Aerie Pharmaceuticals,
commented, “I am greatly encouraged by the results of the Phase 2a study. ROCK
inhibitors such as AR-12286 act directly on the diseased tissue that is
responsible for elevated intraocular pressure, the trabecular meshwork, and now
it has been shown in patients to safely and effectively lower IOP. The ability
to target diseased tissue and act directly to restore normal function is a
fundamental tenet of Medicine and one which current glaucoma therapies do not
address. AR-12286 may have broad implications in glaucoma therapy and could
offer the next major advancement in the field since the approval of latanoprost
(Xalatan) in 1996.” There are currently no ROCK inhibitors on the market, and
AR-12286 is the first in class to report positive safety, tolerability and
efficacy data in glaucoma patients. </P>
<P>The Phase 2a study was a U.S., multi-center, randomized, double-masked,
placebo-controlled study in which patients were randomly assigned to receive one
of three doses of AR-12286 or placebo. Patients were first dosed once daily and
then twice daily and evaluated over a three-week treatment period. </P>
<P>Thomas van Haarlem, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Aerie
Pharmaceuticals, commented, “We are very pleased with these results and will
soon initiate a Phase 2b study with once-daily dosing in a larger patient group
in order to determine the optimal dose to take forward into Phase 3 registration
studies. Aerie’s goal is to advance the quality of glaucoma care and the
clinical success of AR-12286 represents a significant step. We have several
other innovative R&D programs underway with significant therapeutic
potential, including the recent discovery by Aerie scientists of a new class of
dual-action glaucoma drugs.” </P>
<P><B>About AR-12286</B> </P>
<P>AR-12286 is a highly selective Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor designed to lower
intraocular pressure by improving outflow of fluid via the trabecular pathway
with the potential of restoring normal function. This class of compounds acts
directly on diseased tissue, the trabecular meshwork (TM), which undergoes
pathological changes in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. An altered TM
morphology eventually restricts the drainage of fluid from the eye, which causes
an increase in intraocular pressure and ultimately damage to the optic nerve.
ROCK inhibitors return the TM to a state that allows normal drainage of ocular
fluid and thereby reduces pressure in the eye. </P>
<P><B>About Glaucoma</B> </P>
<P>Glaucoma represents a group of eye diseases often marked by elevated
intraocular pressure, which, if left untreated, can lead to progressive loss of
vision and eventually blindness. Over four million people are estimated to have
glaucoma in the United States, but only half receive a diagnosis. Approximately
120,000 people are blind from glaucoma, making glaucoma the second most common
cause of blindness in the U.S. For more information on glaucoma, please visit
the National Eye Institute’s website at <A
href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nei.nih.gov&esheet=6079614&lan=en_US&anchor=www.nei.nih.gov&index=1&md5=976f0baa7480f3a18d6d840a349b582e"
target=_blank shape=rect>www.nei.nih.gov</A>. </P>
<P><B>About Aerie Pharmaceuticals</B> </P>
<P>Aerie Pharmaceuticals is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology
company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel treatments for
glaucoma. Aerie’s internal research and development engine has generated an
innovative glaucoma pipeline. In addition to AR-12286, the Company’s Rho-kinase
(ROCK) inhibitor, the pipeline includes AR-13165, a novel product candidate with
a dual mechanism of action that represents the first of a new proprietary class
of glaucoma drugs. AR-13165 is currently in preclinical, IND-enabling studies.
An ocular implant for long-term drug delivery is also being advanced towards the
clinic. The Company is located in Bridgewater, New Jersey and Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina. </P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>