Are antioxidants the solution to burning and itchy eyes?

Summary: Kuopio, Finland and Chicago, IL, USA. Even if we are still some time away from clinical use, a recently published study in The Ocular Surface journal authored by Experimentica Ltd. in collaboration with researchers from Loyola University Chicago and the University of Missouri – Kansas City suggests that a topical antioxidant formulation can improve the pathological signs associated […]

Abstract

Kuopio, Finland and Chicago, IL, USA. Even if we are still some time away from clinical use, a recently published study in The Ocular Surface journal authored by Experimentica Ltd. in collaboration with researchers from Loyola University Chicago and the University of Missouri – Kansas City suggests that a topical antioxidant formulation can improve the pathological signs associated with dry-eye disease. 

In their study, the authors tested the effects of a prototypic antioxidant of the class of manganese porphyrins in an established preclinical model for aqueous-deficient dry-eye disease and found that their formulation was superior to the therapeutic effect observed by the current clinical standard of care, cyclosporine emulsion. 

“Our formulation of manganese porphyrin was very well tolerated and resulted in a significant improvement of dry-eye disease pathology. This suggests that these potent antioxidants can reduce the inflammation associated with the disease without the need for immunomodulators or steroids, which are often associated with numerous adverse effects”, said study director, Dr. Simon Kaja who is Experimentica’s Chief Scientific Officer and the Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Endowed Professor in Ophthalmology at Loyola University Chicago. 

“Novel well-tolerated and safe therapeutics for dry-eye disease are urgently needed”, added Dr. Giedrius Kalesnykas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Experimentica Ltd., “we are excited that our research offers a new direction for drug development.” 

About Dry Eye Disease: Dry-eye disease is one of the most common complaints seen in ophthalmic practice and defined as a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. Epidemiological studies report an increasing prevalence of dry-eye disease worldwide, with estimates suggesting that up to 40% of the world’s population are affected by varying degrees of the disease. 

Full Reference: 

Žiniauskaite A, Ragauskas S, Ghosh AK, Thapa R, Roessler AE, Koulen P, Kalesnykas G, Hakkarainen JJ and Kaja S. Manganese(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, reduces disease severity in in vitro and in vivo models for dry-eye disease. The Ocular Surface, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2019.02.006  

Contact for media enquiries:
Guillaume Demarne, PharmD
Chief Business Officer
Email: gd@experimentica.com

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