MingSight Pharmaceuticals

About MingSight Pharmaceuticals

MingSight Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for serious conditions such as B-cell malignancies and diabetic macular edema. The company was founded in 2009 in San Diego, California.

The company was co-founded by CEO Dr. Kai Zhang and CSO Dr. Michael Niesman. Dr. Zhang holds a medical degree from Xiangya School of Medicine in China and an MBA from the Ross Business School at the University of Michigan. His background includes over a decade of experience in strategic planning and business development at pharmaceutical companies like Boehringer Ingelheim and ORA Clinical. Dr. Niesman is a cell biologist who specialized in ocular pharmacology and retinal cell biology during his 10 years in academia before transitioning to the industry. He held multiple roles at Pfizer, including the global head of ophthalmology research.

MingSight's core focus is the clinical development of its lead drug candidate, MS-553, a next-generation, selective inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) beta. The company in-licensed the compound from Pfizer. MS-553 is designed to offer significant improvements in selectivity and safety compared to previous pan-PKC inhibitors. A key feature of MS-553 is its ability to achieve high concentration in the retina after oral administration, potentially offering a non-invasive alternative to ocular injections for diabetic eye disease.

The company is advancing MS-553 through clinical trials for two primary indications: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). In a Phase 1/2 study for CLL, MS-553 showed promising efficacy and safety, particularly in patients who have developed resistance to BTK inhibitors. For DME, a Phase 1b trial demonstrated clinical activity, including reduced retinal thickness and improved visual acuity. In November 2021, MingSight announced it had secured $20 million in a pre-Series B funding round led by Kaitai Capital to accelerate the clinical development of MS-553 for these indications. Previously, in 2011, MingSight formed a joint venture with Shenzhen Relin Medicine to develop and commercialize MS-553 for diabetic retinopathy in China.