Researchers from the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System have developed a new drug that aims to treat the cause of dry eye, and plans to start human testing in March.
Called Lacripep, the drug is reportedly a topical eye drop that works to eliminate inflammatory triggers by "restoring the natural basal tearing mechanism and health of cells in contact with tears." Developed by Gordon Laurie, a dry eye specialist within UVA's Department of Cell Biology, the therapy reportedly goes into the lipid layer, allowing it to stay within a patient's tears rather than being washed out.
Researchers reportedly plan to begin a small-scale Phase I/II clinical trial in March at 25 clinical sites across the U.S. with more than 200 patients, who will use either Lacripep or a placebo. If the drug is found to be safe and effective, researchers reportedly plan to expand to a larger Phase III trial.
Image courtesy University of Virginia
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Source: University of Virginia