• A Clear Vision for Blepharitis

    Focused on development of new therapeutics to treat blepharitis and ocular surface disease

    Eye Photo

Novel Therapeutics for Ocular Surface Disease

Aperta Biosciences is an emerging biopharma company focused on the development of novel treatments for Ocular Surface Disease (OSD), including blepharitis, ocular rosacea, meibomian gland dysfunction, and dry eye disease.

Our Team

Founded and led by an executive, operational, and regulatory team with decades of experience in ophthalmic indications and in the development of both novel and repurposed therapeutics.

Picture of Eye with Blepharitis

Blepharitis and Ocular Surface Disease

Blepharitis describes a constellation of symptoms generally related to inflammation of the posterior and anterior eyelid margins.

Typically presents with a combination of symptoms including (but not limited to), itching and swelling of the eyelids, burning or otherwise dry and irritated eyelids, crust or flakes on eyelashes, eyelids sticking together upon waking, or a foreign body sensation

Untreated blepharitis can lead to ocular surface disease, severe infection, permanent alterations to the eyelid margin and, eventually, vision impairment and loss

Blepharitis affects at least 20,000,000 people per year in the United States.

The Role of Demodex in Blepharitis

Demodex mites (D. Folliculorum or D. Brevis) are recognized as a ubiquitous presence on human faces.  Uncontrolled infestations of demodex (i.e. demodicosis) are understood to be the proximal cause of blepharitis and the driver of the disease progression. Demodicosis causes an immune-mediated inflammatory response and demodex serve as vectors for a host of pro-inflammatory organisms (esp. bacteria).  The direct treatment and elimination of demodex infestations has been proven highly effective in related conditions (i.e. facial rosacea)

Picture of Demodex Mite
Picture of Microscope and Test Tubes

Aperta Products

Aperta is developing therapeutics that treat not just the symptoms, but the underlying causes of blepharitis (including Demodicosis).  Our lead program, APT-001 is a patent-pending ophthalmic suspension and reformulation of an API previously approved by FDA.  APT-001 represents new treatment approach to blepharitis based on a novel mechanism of action that directly targets and eradicates ocular demodicosis, the underlying cause of blepharitis.