New therapies for glaucoma: Are they all up to the task?

This review summarises the patenting activity in the anti-glaucoma field for the period 2001 - 2004. The various patents are classified based on the targeted mechanism of claimed drugs. New drugs, especially in the area of neuroprotection, are covered. Whereas some of the patent applications represent new areas in the treatment of glaucoma, others represent improved or modified classes of current anti-glaucoma drugs given to patients. However, most of the patent applications lack clinical data and some even lack data supporting their glaucoma efficacy claims. The authors have attempted to highlight, where possible, a number of promising drugs for the treatment of glaucoma. These are not all inclusive and represent the authors bias in selection. Some areas that were not included (e.g., calcium channel blockers, K⁺ channel agents, etc) are still equally important.