Positive topline results from phase III COMET trials of AR 15512, a novel topical drug candidate for dry eye

In both COMET-2 and COMET-3, which enrolled more than 930 dry eye subjects in total (randomized 1:1 to AR 15512 or vehicle control), the primary endpoint of the proportion of subjects with at least a 10-mm increase in un-anesthetized Schirmer’s score (a measure of tear production) achieved statistical significance at Day 14 [p<0.0001]. these data are consistent with the proposed mechanism of action of ar 15512.

AR 15512 represents an opportunity to bring relief to dry eye sufferers. While DED is one of the most common ocular disorders, affecting an estimated 38 million people in the U.S., only about 18 million are diagnosed and less than 10% of those diagnosed are treated with a prescription product. This represents the significant need for an effective chronic treatment that can provide rapid natural tear production. In these studies, additional data derived from secondary endpoints demonstrated the rapid onset and sustained tear production associated with AR 15512 compared to vehicle, as early as Day 1 and persistent to Day 90. Overall, AR 15512 was well tolerated and no serious ocular adverse events were reported.

“A key gap in dry eye medications is rapid speed of onset,” said Edward Holland, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati, a key advisor on COMET-2 and -3 and Senior Scientific Advisor at Alcon. “AR 15512 demonstrated this important achievement in both pivotal efficacy and safety studies and it represents a first-in-class candidate for chronic dry eye.”

AR -15512 is an investigational drug product that has not been submitted to the FDA)for approval and is not currently commercially available. Alcon anticipates filing the NDA for AR-15512 with FDA in mid-2024.