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Aganocide compounds studied for use in treating ocular infection
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A new class of topical antimicrobials is undergoing trials to confirm efficacy against viral, bacterial and fungal ophthalmic pathogens.
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals presented an in vitro study at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting earlier this year that concluded that two of its aganocide compounds are potential new agents for treating viral and bacterial conjunctivitis.
The company studied NVC-422 and NVC-727, which it says have anti-herpes simplex 1 and bactericidal activity over a broad pH range while maintaining anti-adenovirus activity. Researchers concluded that these compounds are broad-spectrum, fast-acting antimicrobial agents with a good safety profile and a new mechanism of action.
NovaBay also completed a phase 2 clinical study of its compound NVC-422 for treating adenoviral conjunctivitis. In this randomized trial of 452 patients, the predetermined primary endpoint of microbiological success of 20% greater than placebo was not met, a company representative told Primary Care Optometry News.
“However, encouraging and unexpected results were found in the 38% of patients infected with adenovirus serotypes commonly associated with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis,” according to NovaBay. “An additional efficacy analysis of this subset suggests positive treatment effects in clinical signs, symptoms and microbiological findings. A positive effect was seen for sustained clearing of blurred vision in all patients treated with NVC-422 vs. placebo.”
“As a ‘proof of concept’ study, this trial has successfully generated many important hypotheses as to the mechanism of action of the drug and its potential benefits for treating viral conjunctivitis,” Ron Najafi, PhD, NovaBay chairman and chief executive officer, told PCON. “We are also encouraged by the fact that the treatment was well tolerated.”
The company plans to conduct a multi-country phase 2B trial in 2012. – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS
Reference:
- Najafi K, Debabov D, Wilmarth S, et al. Aganocide compounds effective against ophthalmic pathogens. Presented at ARVO 2011.