Ocular Therapeutix (NSDQ:OCUL) said it enrolled the 1st patient in a Phase II study of its bioresorbable eye plug in the treatment of inflammatory dry-eye disease.
The punctum plug, which is inserted in the tear-duct region of the eye, uses the company’s hydrogel platform to deliver a sustained release formulation of the drug dexamethasone, an ophthalmic corticosteroid. After roughly 4 weeks, the plug is absorbed into the body, according to a press release.
Ocular Therapeutix said it plans to enroll 40 patients in the study at 2 sites in the U.S.
“This Phase II exploratory study is designed to assist us in identifying the subgroup of patients that may benefit from a low-dose, sustained release dexamethasone therapy for treatment of inflammatory dry-eye disease, allowing us to refine clinical trials for this indication in the future,” CEO Amar Sawhney said in a statement.
“Dry eye is one of the most common ophthalmic disorders, affecting approximately 20 million people in the United States, and is expected to rise with an aging population. We look forward to potentially expanding the use of our Sustained Release Dexamethasone product candidate for this disorder,” Sawhney added.
The dexamethasone hydrogel plug is also in Phase III testing for the treatment of post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain, and Phase II testing for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, according to the company’s website.
Ocular Therapeutix raised nearly $75 million in an initial public offering last August.
