ACUITY, PATHOGENICS PUBLISH DATA ON CONJUNCTIVITIS DRUG

Acuity Pharmaceuticals and Pathogenics announced publication of preclinical data demonstrating the potential clinical utility of N-Chlorotaurine (NCT) in the treatment of viral conjunctivitis. Acuity recently in-licensed exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights to a proprietary formulation of NCT for ocular uses from Pathogenics, which is developing NCT for a variety of topical and body cavity infections. The ocular formulation is currently in a Phase I safety study in Europe.

The goal of this study was to determine whether the proprietary formulation of NCT met three criteria for clinical development. The criteria are: antiviral activity across a variety of the adenovirus serotypes responsible for viral conjunctivitis; potent antiviral activity in the Ad5/NZW rabbit model that is a surrogate for ocular clinical infections; and safety adequate for treatment of infected children and for possible preventative use. Study authors concluded that the results for the formulation of NCT licensed by Acuity met these criteria and that continued development as a topical antiviral treatment is warranted.

NCT, which is a derivative of a naturally occurring substance in the body, has already completed pilot Phase II studies in Europe, where it has been shown to have promising anti-microbial activity against bacteria, yeasts and molds, as well as antiviral activity against a number of viruses. The drug is expected to have utility in both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis, providing a major advantage since there currently is no approved treatment for the viral form of the disease.