Tisbury Pharmaceuticals

About Tisbury Pharmaceuticals

Tisbury Pharmaceuticals was a venture-backed, preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company established in 2009 with a clear focus on addressing primary open-angle glaucoma. The company was founded by Dr. Andrew L. Salzman, who also served as its Chairman. Dr. Salzman's expertise was complemented by the leadership of CEO Dr. Gary Sternberg, former Chief Business Officer of Eleven Biotherapeutics, who was appointed to guide the clinical development of the company's assets.

The company's core business was centered on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics to treat glaucoma. Its primary asset was a proprietary compound designated R-801, a first-in-class therapeutic candidate. The mechanism of action for R-801 involved increasing the outflow of intraocular fluid through the eye's trabecular meshwork, which in turn would markedly decrease the intraocular pressure associated with the disease. This approach, combined with a nanoparticle drug delivery technology, positioned the compound as a new potential therapy for a leading cause of blindness globally.

A significant milestone in the company's history occurred in June 2017, when it secured $32 million in a Series A financing round. This funding was led by prominent life science investors OrbiMed Israel, Clarus, and HealthCap, with additional participation from Pontifax. The capital was earmarked to advance R-801 into clinical trials. Tisbury Pharmaceuticals was spun out from Radikal Therapeutics Inc., a multinational biotechnology firm, to specifically concentrate on ophthalmic drug products. According to public records, the company ceased operations in November 2019.