Ophthalmology Therapeutic Roundup — February 2, 2017

Here's a look at some of the latest news regarding ophthalmic drugs and therapies from the past week. 

• Clinical-state ophthalmology company Acucela Inc. has enrolled its first patient in a study evaluating Acucela’s leading drug candidate, emixustat hydrochloride (“emixustat”), in subjects with macular atrophy secondary to Stargardt disease. This multicenter, randomized, masked phase 2a study is reportedly designed to evaluate the pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of emixustat in subjects with macular atrophy secondary to Stargardt disease.
• EyeGate Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently announced topline results from its first-in-human pilot trial of its EyeGate Ocular Bandage Gel (EyeGate OBG) for the acceleration of re-epithelialization of large corneal epithelial defects in patients having undergone photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The study, which enrolled 39 subjects undergoing bilateral PRK surgery, reportedly demonstrated safety and tolerability of EyeGate OBG, with encouraging potential efficacy. Based on these positive results, EyeGate reportedly plans to continue development with a double-masked, controlled trial evaluating EyeGate OBG monotherapy against a bandage contact lens (BCL) in Q2 2017.
• And Italy-based pharmaceutical group Recordati has announced the European Union Commission has granted European marketing authorization for its orphan medicinal product Cystadrops® 3.8mg/mL  reportedly the first eye-drop solution containing cysteamine hydrochloride approved in the European Union for "the treatment of corneal cystine crystal deposits in adults and children from 2 years of age with cystinosis".

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