Topical dexamethasone with povidone iodine shows promise in treating viral conjunctivitis

NEW YORK — A new topical agent proved safe and showed positive early results in treating viral conjunctivitis, according to a press release.

The multicenter, open-label pilot study focused on FST-100 topical ophthalmic suspension, a formulation of dexamethasone that includes povidone iodine, according to the manufacturer, Foresight Biotherapeutics.

In the study, 5 patients received FST-100 four times daily for 5 days. Primary endpoints were clinical resolution of conjunctival injection and conjunctival discharge rated on a scale of zero to three. Secondary endpoints were reduction of adenoviral titers and elimination of the infectious virus. The company did not provide the number of patients who were treated.

FST-100 resolved conjunctivitis signs in all eyes. Clinical symptoms resolved in all eyes that tested positive for adenovirus infection. Eyes with identifiable adenovirus signs and symptoms showed a significant reduction in viral titers; infectious virus was eliminated from most eyes within 72 to 96 hours.

Foresight Biotherapeutics has since launched a placebo-controlled, masked, randomized multicenter clinical trial for FST-100 that will include up to 100 patients, according to a separate press release from the company.