Visara, Inc., a Rockville, Maryland-based ophthalmology company and majority-owned subsidiary of NovaBridge Biosciences (Nasdaq: NBP), announced on October 13, 2026 an exclusive license agreement with Wuhan Hiteck Biological Pharma Co., Ltd. for VIS-102 (HT006.2.2). VIS-102 is an investigational, next-generation modified recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) therapy designed to restore corneal health in patients with neurotrophic keratitis (NK). Visara receives exclusive rights to develop and commercialize VIS-102 worldwide, excluding Greater China.
“Patients with neurotrophic keratitis face a serious, sight-threatening disease, and the practical demands of treatment can place a significant burden on patients and their caregivers,” said Jeffrey Nau, Ph.D., M.M.S., President and CEO of Visara. “VIS-102 was designed to address that directly. We believe its molecular architecture and refrigerated, ready-to-use format could simplify care for patients and providers. VIS-102 is a compelling addition to our pipeline as we build a company addressing unmet needs across the front and back of the eye.”
Designed for Easier Treatment
Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare, degenerative disease caused by impaired nerve supply to the cornea. Without that nerve support, the eye struggles to heal, which can lead to persistent epithelial defects, corneal ulceration, and permanent vision loss.
Beyond formulation improvements, VIS-102 includes targeted modifications to the NGF amino acid sequence intended to improve resistance to enzymatic degradation and maintain stability under refrigeration. These changes could allow VIS-102 to be supplied in ready-to-use, single-dose units, potentially reducing the storage, shipping, handling, and administration burden of current NK treatments.
Early Clinical Data
In a Phase 1b study of Chinese patients with severe NK, 50% of subjects in the highest-dose VIS-102 cohort achieved complete corneal healing after a single 8-week course. In the vehicle control group, 14% had complete corneal healing at Week 4. Those patients then crossed over to VIS-102 from Weeks 5 to 8, and 43% achieved complete healing after the 4-week course. Treatment-related ocular adverse events were all mild and consistent with prior rhNGF trials, and no subjects withdrew due to a related adverse event. The study will continue with an expansion phase evaluating the highest dose on six-times-daily and three-times-daily 8-week regimens.
Building a Broader Ophthalmology Company
VIS-102 becomes Visara’s second clinical-stage program, expanding its pipeline beyond VIS-101, a tetravalent VEGF-A × ANG-2 peptibody for neovascular retinal diseases, into ocular surface disease and neuroprotection.
“The expansion of Visara’s pipeline illustrates how we are applying the NovaBridge model to build focused franchises around differentiated innovation,” said Srishti Gupta, M.D., M.P.P., CEO of NovaBridge. “With VIS-102, Visara expands beyond retinal disease into a second area of significant unmet need. We believe this is an important step in building Visara into a broader ophthalmology company and demonstrates the repeatability of the NovaBridge approach to creating long-term value.”
Under the agreement, Hiteck will receive an upfront payment, plus potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments and tiered royalties on net sales. Financial terms were not disclosed.
About Visara
Visara is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation biologic therapies for diseases affecting both the front and back of the eye. It is a majority-owned subsidiary of NovaBridge Biosciences.
About NovaBridge Biosciences
NovaBridge Biosciences is a global biotechnology company advancing therapeutic programs in oncology and ophthalmology. Its portfolio is led by givastomig, a Claudin 18.2 × 4-1BB bispecific antibody for gastrointestinal cancers, and its majority-owned ophthalmology subsidiary, Visara.
