FDA approves Oxervate to treat neurotrophic keratitis.-Dompe.
Domp� has announced that the FDA has approved Oxervate (cenegermin), a breakthrough therapy for neurotrophic keratitis (NK), a rare and progressive eye disease that can lead to corneal scarring and vision loss. Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare orphan condition that affects fewer than 65,000 persons in the United States based on estimated disease prevalence. It results from impaired function of corneal nerves, which can be caused by herpetic or other infections, ocular surface injuries, ocular or neurologic surgeries, and some systemic conditions that can impair corneal sensation. If unchecked, the disease can progress in severity, leading to persistent epithelial defects, corneal ulcers, melting, perforation and vision loss. Until now, treatment options for neurotrophic keratitis were limited to symptomatic treatments, which do not target the underlying disease pathology. These include artificial tears, antibiotics, autologous serum-derived eye drops, tarsorrhaphy (a procedure in which the eyelids are partially sutured together) and botulinum-induced ptosis (closure of the eyelid). Other surgical interventions, designed to restore the integrity of the cornea, include conjunctival flap surgeries and corneal transplants, which are invasive and can compromise the appearance and function of the eye.
The drug is based on cenegermin-bkbj, a novel recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) that is structurally identical to the nerve growth factor (NGF) protein that is made in the human body, including in the ocular tissues. The endogenous protein supports corneal integrity though several mechanisms. NGF acts directly on corneal epithelial cells to stimulate their growth and survival. In addition, NGF is known to bind receptors on lacrimal glands to promote tear production, which may provide the eye with lubrication and natural protection from pathogens and injury. The protein also has been shown experimentally to support corneal innervation, which is lost in neurotrophic keratitis.
Comment: Cenegermin represents the first therapy from Domp� that will be available in the United States.
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