Press Release
Nicox Announces U.S. FDA Acceptance of Investigational New Drug Application for NCX 4251 Phase 2 Trial in Blepharitis
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January 29th, 2019 - release at 7:30 am CET
Sophia Antipolis, France
Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its review of the Company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for NCX 4251, a novel patented ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals, being developed as the first targeted topical treatment of the eyelid margin for patients with acute exacerbations of blepharitis. The IND was submitted to the U.S. FDA in December 2018 ahead of the target of the first quarter of 2019.
The IND is now in effect and we look forward to announcing the start of the first-in-human, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with acute exacerbations of blepharitis, which is expected to report top-line results in the second half of 2019.
About NCX 4251
NCX 4251 is a novel patented ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals which is being developed as the first targeted topical treatment of the eyelid margin for patients with acute exacerbations of blepharitis. Blepharitis is a common eye condition characterized by eyelid inflammation. It is being developed for application via a swab at the eyelid margin, applied directly to the site of inflammation thereby minimizing potential penetration of the drug through the cornea which can lead to the damaging side effects, such as IOP increase, found with current topical steroids.
Fluticasone propionate, the active ingredient in NCX 4251, which has not previously been approved in a topical formulation for use in ophthalmology, has an affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor which is approximately ten times greater than dexamethasone, a corticosteroid commonly used in ophthalmology. Fluticasone propionate is a glucocorticoid with potent anti-inflammatory properties that has been approved in numerous drug products over the past 20 years for the treatment of various indications including dermatology, rhinitis and asthma.
About Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a condition in which the margins of the eyelids become red and swollen and may contain dandruff like matter and occurs in two forms. Anterior blepharitis affects the outside front of the eyelids, where the eyelashes are attached, and is most commonly caused by bacteria, demodex (a tiny mite that lives in or near hair follicles) and scalp dandruff. Posterior blepharitis affects the inner edge of the eyelids, the moist part which makes contact with the tear film of the eye, and is most commonly caused by problems with certain eyelid oil glands, or meibomian glands. Acne, rosacea and scalp dandruff can also cause posterior blepharitis.
Blepharitis often coexists with other related conditions, such as dry eye, with an incidence that is similar to or higher than dry eye in evaluations of symptomatic patients (24% incidence of blepharitis versus 21% incidence of dry eye). It is believed that in patients with both blepharitis and dry eye, an improvement in blepharitis may lead to an improvement of the dry eye disease. Blepharitis is difficult to study and there is little consensus on the prevalence of the disease. Studies show, however, that blepharitis is one of the most common conditions encountered in clinical practice. Of patients seen by ophthalmologists and optometrists, 37% and 47%, respectively, present with signs of the disease.
There is currently no FDA approved prescription product solely indicated for blepharitis. Treatment options include lid scrubs, topical ophthalmic steroids, topical ophthalmic antibiotics and topical ophthalmic antibiotic/steroid combinations. The annual U.S. revenues for products prescribed for blepharitis among these three categories total more than $500 million according to IQVIA Health Analytics. Surveys reveal that ophthalmologists consider anti-inflammatory activity to be the most important product attribute when selecting a treatment for blepharitis, which supports the development of NCX 4251.
