Treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension using rho kinase inhibitors: patent evaluation of US2018244666 and US2018256595

Introduction: Glaucoma refers to a heterogeneous group of optic neuropathies characterized by an enhanced intraocular pressure (IOP). To date, there are six available different drug classes for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension: beta-adrenergic antagonists, prostaglandins, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, alpha 2-selective adrenergic, muscarinic agonists and rho kinase inhibitors, which act by reducing the production or increasing the drainage of aqueous humor. Areas covered: This manuscript reviews patent US2018244666A1, that describes the synthesis of novel potential rho kinase and monoamine transporters inhibitors with a benzamide or isoquinoline amide scaffolds, and patent US2018256595A1 that investigates the long-term treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension with ripasudil, a rho kinase inhibitor. Expert opinion: A variety of netarsudil congeners were synthesized as rho kinases inhibitors in patent US2018244666A1. Results of patent US2018256595A1 showed that ripasudil is among the best candidates for glaucoma long-term treatment, as IOP continuously dropped over the course of the treatment.