Novaliq’s NovaTears+Omega-3, the first omega-3-containing eye drop registered in Europe for the enhanced treatment of the signs and symptoms of evaporative dry eye (EDE), has a huge potential to address the underlying disease etiology, which cannot be addressed by traditional artificial tears, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. The combo therapy is a line extension of Novaliq’s existing CE-marked product NovaTears, which has been marketed under the trade name EvoTears in Europe since 2015.
NovaTears is a first-in-class artificial tear that specifically addresses the lipid layer of the tear film without causing vision blurring, a common problem with other eye drops. With the supplementation of omega-3, the therapeutic effect of NovaTears is further boosted, offering patients physiological benefits by stabilizing the lipid layer and reducing tear evaporation and additional relief of dry eye symptoms.
Currently, both NovaTears and NovaTears+Omega-3 are only available in Europe, but NovaTears is on track to be submitted for US and Japanese approval in 2021 and 2018, respectively.
Traditional artificial tears, which have been the mainstay therapy for dry eye syndrome (DES), are unable to address the underlying etiology of DES; hence, patients can only receive temporary relief.
Hayley Chan, Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “With the prevalent evidence showing the copious therapeutic effects offered by omega-3, it seems like there are significant reasons for omega-3 excitement. Not only can this essential fatty acid help reduce inflammation associated with EDE by preventing lacrimal gland apoptosis and the subsequent increase in tear film osmolarity, but also it increases tear production and improves the tear lipid layer by promoting oil secretions from the Meibomian glands, thereby enhancing tear film stability.”
Omega-3 has potential to address the underlying etiology of EDE. However, omega-3 fatty acids could only be reliably supplemented through diets or balanced nutrition. The recently introduced NovaTears+Omega-3 successfully incorporates omega-3 into NovaTears, representing the first eye drops containing omega-3.
Chan adds: “This innovative breakthrough will surely be a welcome and long-desired addition to the EDE treatment arsenal in Europe, offering a new hope for patients who have dry eye issues with an origin in MGD.”