SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 29, 2025 – Boehringer Ingelheim has entered a strategic collaboration with Re-Vana Therapeutics, aiming to co-develop long-acting injectable therapies for serious eye diseases using Re-Vana’s proprietary sustained-release delivery platform. The multi-target agreement could exceed $1 billion in total value and marks a significant move by Boehringer into the ophthalmology space.
Pioneering extended-release drug delivery for ophthalmology
The deal centers around Re-Vana’s injectable polymer-based system, designed to deliver drugs to the eye over six to twelve months with a single administration. This innovation could dramatically reduce treatment burdens for patients with chronic retinal diseases, who currently require frequent intraocular injections.
The partnership targets up to three new ophthalmic drugs initially, with the option for Boehringer to add three more annually. While the specific diseases were not disclosed, the joint effort seeks to produce first-in-class treatments by pairing Re-Vana’s delivery technology with novel Boehringer compounds.
Boosting real-world patient outcomes through reduced injection frequency
Extended-release ophthalmic therapies represent a major shift in patient care. Current standard-of-care treatments for conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration often require monthly or bi-monthly injections, posing both logistical and compliance challenges.
Re-Vana’s platform could help transform this model:
- 6–12 month sustained drug release, reducing injection frequency
- Polymer-based delivery, biodegradable and designed for precise ocular release
- Improved adherence and enhanced patient comfort, especially in aging populations
For providers, this could translate to fewer clinic visits per patient and more efficient resource allocation in ophthalmology practices.
Partnership aligns with Boehringer’s push into ophthalmics
Although Boehringer Ingelheim currently lacks approved eye care products, it has been quietly building a pipeline. Its development portfolio includes:
- A vascular modulator in Phase I for an undisclosed indication
- BI 764524, an antibody targeting diabetic retinopathy (Phase II)
- BI 771716, co-developed with CDR-Life, in Phase II for geographic atrophy
The Re-Vana alliance complements Boehringer’s growing ambition in the space and signals a broader strategy to compete in the high-growth retinal disease market, currently dominated by companies like Regeneron and Roche.
“This collaboration combines Re-Vana’s extended-release drug delivery technology with potentially newly developed drugs to create what the companies called ‘first-in-class’ therapies for the eye.”
A strategic leap for Re-Vana amid ongoing Series B funding
Re-Vana Therapeutics, founded in 2016 as a spinout of Queen’s University Belfast, is emerging as a key innovator in ocular drug delivery. Following a successful $11.9 million Series A in 2022, the company is now advancing a Series B raise while developing both partnered and internal assets.
Among its lead candidates:
- A six-month version of Eylea®, Regeneron’s blockbuster anti-VEGF therapy
- A bispecific antibody program for an undisclosed eye condition, both in Phase II/III
By collaborating with pharma leaders like Boehringer, Re-Vana is positioning itself as a pivotal player in next-generation ophthalmology.
Strategic implications and outlook for hospital systems and clinics
For hospitals and ophthalmology practices, this partnership could usher in a new era of therapeutic scheduling and patient flow. Sustained-release injections allow:
- Longer treatment intervals, reducing appointment density
- Lower cumulative treatment costs
- Greater access in rural or underserved regions where travel to clinics is a challenge
If successful, Boehringer and Re-Vana’s alliance could set a precedent for how novel delivery platforms reshape specialty care—not just in ophthalmology, but potentially across other chronic disease areas requiring high-frequency interventions.
To follow the progress of Boehringer’s ophthalmology pipeline and Re-Vana’s delivery platform, visit boehringer-ingelheim.com and revanatx.com.