Santen Pharmaceutical
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that it had filed manufacturing and marketing approval for its corneal and conjunctival epithelial disorder treatment DE-089 (JAN: Diquafosol sodium) to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on May 30, 2008.
DE-089 was licensed from Inspire Pharm (U.S.A) and developed by Santen as a treatment for corneal and conjunctival epithelial disorder mostly associated with dry eye. Dry eye is a chronic disease which damages the corneal surface and lacrimal fluid and is accompanied by symptoms of ocular discomfort and vision disorder. DE-089 facilitates a healthy condition of tear film as it stimulates the secretion of components of lacrimal fluid and water. It has been confirmed that DE-089 improved symptoms of corneal and conjunctival epithelial disorders through clinical studies conducted in Japan. In addition, no serious ocular and systemic adverse reactions were found.
Dry eye is a disease, starting with discomfort symptoms such as dry eye and rattling eyes, which could have a disadvantage to one's day-to-day life if the symptoms worsen. Recently, it is said that the number of patients suffering from dry eye is increasing due to air pollution, desiccation in a room, the rising number of visual display-terminal users and contact-lens wearers, and the prevalence of laser in situ karetomileusis (LASIK) surgery. As a treatment for dry eye, Sodium Hyaluronate ophthalmic solution and artificial tears is currently prescribed.
Santen expects DE-089 will offer a new treatment option for corneal and conjunctival epithelial disorder patients and contribute to their improved QOL (Quality of Life).