Amakem NV, a kinase platform company focusing on ophthalmology, today announces that it has initiated a Phase 2a proof of concept study of its novel Rho Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, AMA0076, in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The start of the study follows Amakem’s receipt of Investigational New Drug Application (IND) approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). AMA0076 is a highly potent ROCK inhibitor and is based on Amakem’s ‘Localized Drug Action’ platform, which generates novel kinase inhibitors that minimize the risk of systemic as well as local side effects such as hyperemia.