Thursday, October 18, 2007

New drug news: ALTY-0501 update

According to a recent press release (PDF), Alacrity Biosciences' ALTY-0501 has had some positive results in its Phase II study.

ALTY-0501 is basically a very low dose topical doxycycline aimed at "preventing the disruption of the epithelial barrier on the ocular surface".

Study design sounded kind of interesting:

The Phase 2 study utilized the controlled adverse environment (CAE) chamber to measure dry eye patients' ability to withstand a stressful drying environment on the eye, and patient diaries to measure the severity of their dry eye symptoms over the course of the study. Patients were randomized to receive ALTY-0501 or its vehicle four times each day over the course of a 56 day study.


Like all dry eye testing they seek to demonstrate improvement in both signs and symptoms. In this case, "signs" were exclusively staining (numbers for total, superior and nasal were reported), and "symptoms" of burning, stinging and grittiness were somehow gleaned from patient diaries (sure would like to know how that was structured!).

Alacrity are hoping to move forward with Phase III clinicals in early 2008.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Eyewear news: Wiley-X, Panoptx & more

Oh my goodness, is it really more than a month since I last blogged?? I am so sorry. Things are just so busy around here. I really will try to be more regular about this though.

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A few updates from the world of dry eye eyewear...

1) Next week I'm expecting to meet with Panoptx' sales director to preview their new products coming out at the beginning of 2008. I'm excited about this and looking forward to seeing what's new. I'll post here and on dryeyetalk after I get a looksee.

2) According to a recent press release, Wiley-X is outlicensing their climate control facial cavity technology to Bushnell, who make the Bolle and Serengetti eyewear lines. Meaning, HOPEFULLY, that the same type of seal used on the current Wiley-X Climate Control frames will be incorporated in more eyewear options in the relatively near future, which should be good news for us.

3) No word on timing of the MEGs release yet but fingers crossed that they are coming soon. They won't come before they're wanted, that's for sure.