Dry Eye News and Research

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Dry eye is one of the most common complaints seen by eye doctors, accounting for nearly one fourth of all office visits. Caused by insufficient tear production or excessive tear evaporation, dry eye can be a mild, episodic feeling of discomfort associated with certain circumstances, such as exposure to dry, hot or windy environments; however, it can also be a chronic medical condition that, if left untreated, may lead to increased risk of infection or visual impairment.

Inspire's denufosol tetrasodium TIGER-1 Phase 3 trial for CF published in AJRCCM

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the results from its first Phase 3 clinical trial with denufosol tetrasodium for cystic fibrosis (CF), TIGER-1, have been published in the peer-reviewed publication, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM). Denufosol is an investigational, inhaled, novel ion channel regulator currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of CF.

20 Dec 2010

ISTA commences bepotastine besilate nasal spray Phase 2 study in seasonal allergic rhinitis

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical study of bepotastine besilate nasal spray for the treatment of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis, the inflammation of the nasal passages caused by allergies. The randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group environmental study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of bepotastine besilate, dosed twice daily, in patients presenting with allergic rhinitis caused by one of the most potent seasonal allergy triggers, Mountain Cedar pollen.

14 Dec 2010

Santen launches DIQUAS Ophthalmic Solution in Japan

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that DIQUAS Ophthalmic Solution 3% (diquafosol tetrasodium) received pricing approval and was launched for sale today in Japan by its partner, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Inspire will receive a related milestone payment of $1.25 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and is also entitled to receive payments based upon a tiered royalty rate on net sales of DIQUAS in Japan, with a minimum rate in the high single digits and a maximum rate in the low double digits.

From Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 13 Dec 2010

RegeneRx receives patent for Tβ4 to prevent immunological responses from toxic agents

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the Company received a patent in Australia using thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), and various fragments and anologues of Tβ4, to treat or prevent biological and immunological responses to reactive chemical, biological or toxic agents.

2 Dec 2010

Scientists identify signaling pathway and receptor for thymosin beta 4

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. nnounced that scientists have identified a long sought-after extracellular signaling pathway and receptor for thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4). The observation that Tβ4 increases cell surface ATP (energy produced by cells), could explain its ability to protect and regenerate tissue after ischemic injury and hypoxia (oxygen deficiency).

30 Nov 2010

Mimetogen initiates MIM-D3 Phase II clinical trial for dry eye disease

Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel small molecule compounds that mimic the effects of neurotrophins, today announced that it has initiated the first human clinical trial evaluating MIM-D3, a mimetic of nerve growth factor (NGF), in a Phase II clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease. MIM-D3 is a small cyclic peptidomimetic of NGF, a naturally occurring protein in the eye that is responsible for the maintenance of corneal nerves and epithelium, mucin and tear production.

22 Nov 2010

FDA grants three years of marketing exclusivity to ISTA's BROMDAY

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the Company three years of marketing exclusivity for BROMDAY (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.09%, as provided under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act, commonly known as the Hatch-Waxman Act.

18 Nov 2010

Millions of Americans suffer unnecessarily with itchy, gritty, watery eyes, say allergists

Millions of Americans suffer unnecessarily with itchy, gritty, watery eyes, according to allergists at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in Phoenix, Nov. 11-16. The underdiagnosis, undertreatment and self-treatment of eye allergies may seriously diminish quality of life, allergists say.

16 Nov 2010

DHA protects brain tissue and promotes recovery in acute ischemic stroke

Research led by Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Boyd Professor, Villere Chair, and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health Sciences Center, has shown that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a component of fish oil, is a powerful therapeutic agent that can protect brain tissue and promote recovery in an experimental model of acute ischemic stroke, even when treatment is delayed by up to five hours.

9 Nov 2010

ORAL Solo Phase 3 study shows tasocitinib reduces signs and symptoms of active RA

Pfizer Inc. today announced results of ORAL Solo (1045), a Phase 3 study that showed tasocitinib (CP-690,550), an investigational, novel, oral JAK inhibitor, administered as monotherapy met two primary endpoints, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and improvement in physical function as measured by ACR20 response rates and mean change in HAQ-DI, respectively, versus placebo at three months.

9 Nov 2010

Inspire third quarter net loss decreases to $7.6 million

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010, reporting a net loss of $7.6 million or ($0.09) per share, an improvement from the third quarter of 2009 during which the Company incurred a net loss of $8.5 million or ($0.12) per share.

4 Nov 2010

ISTA third quarter net revenue increases 31% to $42.0 million

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Third quarter 2010 net revenues were $42.0 million, an increase of 31% from the third quarter of 2009.

3 Nov 2010

RegeneRx announces positive results from RGN-259 non-clinical study for Dry Eye Syndrome

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the results of its first non-clinical dry eye study using RGN-259, RegeneRx's ophthalmic, preservative-free eye drop for the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). In the study, animals were treated with RGN-259, a vehicle control and a positive control, doxycycline.

2 Nov 2010

Allergan third quarter diluted loss per share increases to $2.21

Allergan, Inc. today announced operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Allergan also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a third quarter dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on December 1, 2010 to stockholders of record on November 10, 2010.

1 Nov 2010

Celtic, Resolvyx enter option agreement for RX-10045 to treat dry eye syndrome

Celtic Therapeutics Holdings L.P. a successor firm to Celtic Pharma, and Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Resolvyx) announced today that they have entered into an option agreement relating to Resolvyx's RX-10045, a late-stage program for the treatment of dry eye syndrome and other ophthalmic conditions.

26 Oct 2010

Inspire presents data on denufosol therapy for cystic fibrosis at NACFC conference

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that data will be presented on denufosol tetrasodium, an investigational therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF), during oral and poster presentations at the 24th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) October 21-23, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.

22 Oct 2010

TearLab announces publication of CPT code for Osmolarity test

TearLab Corporation announced today that, further to its press release of October 8, 2010, a unique new Current Procedural Terminology code that will apply to the TearLab Osmolarity test has now been published by the American Medical Association. The new code will become effective January 1, 2011.

19 Oct 2010

FDA approves ISTA's sNDA for BROMDAY ophthalmic anti-inflammatory drug

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Company's supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for BROMDAY (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.09% as a once-daily prescription eye drop for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract extraction.

18 Oct 2010

TearLab receives patent for non-invasive tear collection platform

TearLab Corporation today announced that it has been granted U.S. Patent No. 7,810,380, entitled "Systems and methods for collecting tear film and measuring tear film osmolarity." This patent provides the company with broad and blocking intellectual property regarding the measurement of genetic and protein biomarkers within the tear film.

13 Oct 2010

Ocular Therapeutix completes Proof of Principle clinical study with moxifloxacin punctum plug

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. announced today the completion of a successful Proof of Principle clinical study with their novel sustained drug delivery moxifloxacin punctum plug.