Exonate, a pharmaceutical company, has announced plans to start a phase 2b clinical trial for its lead drug, EXN407, in early 2026. This drug is designed as an eye drop treatment for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), an early stage of diabetic eye disease. The trial, called CLEAR-DE, will test the drug’s effectiveness, proper dosage, and safety in 140 patients across Australia, the Middle East, and China. This follows promising results from earlier trials, where EXN407 showed good safety and tolerability, with no serious side effects related to the drug. Early signs also suggested it may help reduce vascular leakage, a key factor in worsening diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy affects about one-third of people with diabetes, and if left untreated, NPDR can lead to serious vision problems. Current treatments often involve monthly eye injections, which are usually delayed until symptoms become severe, sometimes causing irreversible damage. EXN407 is a first-of-its-kind eye drop taken twice daily that works by blocking a protein called SRPK1, which helps control abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Dr. Catherine Beech, CEO of Exonate, stated that the earlier trial results showed EXN407’s potential as a non-invasive treatment for diabetic eye disease. She added that this therapy could be a major improvement for early-stage patients, offering benefits without the need for injections. The company is now moving forward with the phase 2b trial and is looking for partners to support its progress.