Safety and Efficacy Assessment of Vismed® (Sodium Hyaluronate) for the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Disease Clinical Trial

Official title: A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked Study of Safety and Efficacy of Vismed® in Dry Eye Syndrome

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The study is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of Vismed®, a special eye drop containing sodium hyaluronate, in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Vismed® is being compared to another eye drop, identical in composition except that it does not contain the active ingredient, sodium hyaluronate. This eye drop is designed as the "vehicle." Some subjects are to receive Vismed® treatment, while others are to receive the vehicle; the assignment of subjects to receive either Vismed or vehicle is to be random. The two-week treatment phase is followed by a one week follow-up period to evaluate safety of Vismed®.

Clinical Trial Description

VISMED® is currently marketed in Europe under the CE mark as a viscoelastic lubricant eye drop. The proprietary formulation contains a highly purified specific fraction of sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate is a natural polymer which is also present in the structures of the human eye. Its main physical characteristic is viscoelasticity. This means that VISMED® has a high viscosity between blinks and a low viscosity during blinking ensuring efficient coating of the surface of the eye. It is believed that this protective coating of the surface of the eye helps prevent dryness and irritation. Sodium hyaluronate also possesses mucoadhesive properties and the ability to entrap water, thus resembling tear mucus glycoprotein. This, together with the coating properties of sodium hyaluronate, results in an increased pre-corneal residence time and tear film break-up time (BUT) and therefore longer lubrication of the eye surface. VISMED® is completely free of preservatives. As a result, it is non-irritating to ocular tissues and can be used frequently and for extended periods without harming the surface of the eye (e.g. without causing superficial punctate keratitis). Some preservatives are known to cause toxic or allergic reactions, the symptoms of which include stinging, burning and redness of the eyes. To further maximize patient comfort, the pH of VISMED® is adjusted to 7.3, similar to that of the natural tear film.

Hydrogels of sodium hyaluronate have been used for many years in ophthalmic surgery in Europe and the U.S. to maintain the shape of the eye, to cover surgical instruments and to protect the corneal endothelium from damage. They have unique physical properties that make them ideal for use in the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. Therefore, VISMED® represents a new class of compound in development for the treatment of dry eye in the US, offering lubricant properties which can alleviate the discomfort and reverse ocular damage caused by dry eye syndrome.

This study is being conducted to supplement the body of knowledge gained from studies conducted in Europe and regulatory approvals granted there to formalize the safety and efficacy of Vismed® to meet FDA requirements for a New Drug Application to market the product in the US. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Dry Eye Disease
• Dry Eye Syndromes
• Eye Diseases
• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

• NCT number: NCT00599716
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Lantibio
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: December 2006
• Completion date: May 2008