Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announces that the US FDA has accepted a New Drug Application (NDA), filed by its wholly owned subsidiary, for OTX-101 (cyclosporine A, ophthalmic solution) 0.09%, a novel nanomicellar formulation of cyclosporine A 0.09% in a clear, preservative-free aqueous solution. OTX-101 is now under review for approval by the US FDA, marking an important developmental milestone for Sun Pharma’s dry eye candidate.
Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director, Sun Pharma, said: “Dry Eye disease is a complex, chronic condition that affects patient quality of life, often significantly. OTX-101, a novel formulation of cyclosporine, will allow us to participate in the rapidly growing underserved and dynamic Dry Eye market. When approved, it will be a milestone for millions of Dry Eye patients across the globe that are yet to find relief for their condition.”
Post the US FDA approval, OTX-101 will be commercialized in the US by Sun Ophthalmics, the branded ophthalmics division of Sun Pharma’s wholly owned subsidiary, based in Princeton, New Jersey. Sun Ophthalmics, founded in 2015, currently markets BromSite® (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.075% to eye care practitioners across US.
Commenting on the development Abhay Gandhi, CEO - North America Business, Sun Pharma, said, “We are excited about the acceptance of this filing by the US FDA. In January 2017, we had announced positive topline results of confirmatory Phase-3 clinical trial for OTX-101, demonstrating both efficacy and faster onset of action in a trial environment. The 12 week trial saw 744 dry eye patients being treated either with OTX-101, or its vehicle. Compared to the vehicle, OTX-101 showed statistically significant improvement in the primary end point in the trial. The demonstration of efficacy of OTX-101 was earlier than other drugs approved for dry eye in the same class1. We hope to bring OTX-101 to patients in the United States as soon as possible, and look forward to working closely with the US FDA over the coming months.”
About OTX-101 OTX-101 is being evaluated for the treatment of dry eye disease. It is a patented, novel, proprietary nanomicellar formulation of cyclosporine A, 0.09%. It is a clear, preservative-free, aqueous solution. In a 12 week, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle controlled Phase 3 confirmatory study, 744 dry eye patients were treated either with OTX-101, or its vehicle. After 12 weeks of treatment, as compared to vehicle, OTX-101 showed statistically significant improvement in the primary end point, Schirmer’s score (a measurement of tear production) (p<0.0001). The demonstration of efficacy by OTX-101 at 12 weeks is earlier than other drugs approved for dry eye in the same class.1
Additionally, several key secondary endpoints showed statistically significant improvements compared to vehicle with some showing an even earlier onset of action. Adverse events reported in the trial were mild to moderate in nature and similar to other approved drugs in the category.1-3 As Sun continues to analyze the data, additional significant findings will be shared at upcoming medical conferences. Previously, in a completed Phase 2b/3 clinical trial in 455 patients, OTX-101 demonstrated a rapid onset of action and was well tolerated by the study population. Based on published data, the efficacy and safety endpoints in these trials compared favorably to other formulations of cyclosporine A with the advantage of faster onset.1
About Dry Eye Disease Dry Eye Disease, as defined by the National Health Institute (NHI), occurs when the eye does not produce tears properly, or when the tears are not of the correct consistency and evaporate too quickly. In addition, inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur along with dry eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to pain, ulcers, or scars on the cornea, and some loss of vision. Dry eye can make it more difficult to perform some activities, such as using a computer or reading for an extended period of time, and it can decrease tolerance for dry environments, such as the air inside an airplane. Other names for dry eye include dry eye syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dysfunctional tear syndrome, lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis, evaporative tear deficiency, aqueous tear deficiency, and LASIK-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy (LNE).
References
1. Sall K, Stevenson OD, Mundorf TK, Reis BL. Two multicenter, randomized studies of the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion in moderate to severe dry eye disease. CsA Phase 3 Study Group. Ophthalmology. 2000 Apr;107(4):631-9. PMID: 10768324
2. Sheppard JD, Torkildsen GL, Lonsdale JD, D'Ambrosio FA Jr, McLaurin EB, Eiferman RA, Kennedy KS, Semba CP. Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5.0% for treatment of dry eye disease: results of the OPUS-1 phase 3 study. Ophthalmology. 2014 Feb;121(2):475-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.09.015. Epub 2013 Nov 26. PMID: 24289915
3. Tauber J, Karpecki P, Latkany R, Luchs J, Martel J, Sall K, Raychaudhuri A, Smith V, Semba CP. Lifitegrast Ophthalmic Solution 5.0% versus Placebo for Treatment of Dry Eye Disease: Results of the Randomized Phase III OPUS-2 Study. Ophthalmology. 2015 Dec;122(12):2423-31. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.08.001. Epub 2015 Sep 11. PMID: 26365210
4. DEWS Research Subcommittee. Research in dry eye: report of the Research Subcommittee of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (2007). Ocul Surf. 2007;5(2):179-193.
5. Paulsen AJ, Cruickshanks KJ, Fischer ME, et al. Dry eye in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study: prevalence, risk factors, and health-related quality of life. Am J Ophthalmol. 2014;157(4):799-806.
6. Kantar Health. National Health and Wellness Survey: The Global Health and Wellness Report – 2014.http://www.kantarhealth.com/docs/ebooks/global-health-and-wellness-report.pdf. Accessed May23, 2016.