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Topical viral conjunctivitis treatment shows promise in preclinical studies
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PHILADELPHIA — A topical formulation of N-chlorotaurine shows potential against viral conjunctivitis in preclinical studies, according to a press release by the drug's developers.
Jerold Gordon, MD, and colleagues at the Charles T. Campbell Ophthalmic Eye Microbiology Lab, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, evaluated the compound using an in vitro and a rabbit model. The study involved adenovirus serotypes responsible for viral conjunctivitis.
In vitro, N-chlorotaurine showed concentration-dependent direct inactivation of all tested virus serotypes. In the rabbit model, researchers found significantly fewer positive cultures at 1 to 14 days after infection. They also noted a shorter duration of virus shedding and lower mean combined viral titers at days 7 to 14 compared to controls, according to the release.
N-chlorotaurine is being investigated by Acuity Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Pathogenics Inc. The ocular formulation is currently in a phase 1 clinical trial in Europe.
Currently there are no approved therapies for viral conjunctivitis, company officials noted in the release.