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AzaSite effective against Pseudomonas-induced keratitis in animal model
A drug-delivery vehicle containing azithromycin was effective in treating bacterial keratitis induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a rabbit model, according to the device's maker.
InSite Vision's AzaSite contains 1% azithromycin in the company's patented drug-delivery vehicle. In an in vivo keratitis study in rabbits, bacterial counts were reduced by more than three orders of magnitude after AzaSite application, according to a company press release.
Results in the animal model were comparable to results obtained with a newer-generation fluoroquinolone and other products currently on the market in a similar animal model, according to InSite.
In other company news, InSite said the European Patent Office has issued to InSite a patent for "azalide antibiotics for the topical treatment or prevention of ocular infections." The patent covers azalide antibiotics — of which azithromycin is one — using the company's vehicle to treat ocular infections alone or in conjunction with other pharmaceutical compounds.