AVX pharma announces initiation of a Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AVX-012 ophthalmic solution in Dry Eye Syndrome

The company develops novel pharmacological treatments for the treatment of DED, based on the manipulation of the neural mechanisms that regulate the volume of tear fluid secreted by the lacrimal glands, and evoke the discomfort sensations elicited by ocular surface dryness, the two main mechanisms that are impaired in DED and are responsible of the signs and symptoms observed in DED patients.

AVX-012 Ophthalmic Solution was safe and well tolerated at all doses tested in the Phase 1 trial. "With encouraging Phase 1 data available, the initiation of this Phase 2 trial marks another important milestone for AVX-012 in Dry Eye Syndrome, a disease suffered by millions of patients that are still lacking of effective treatment options”, said Patrick Tresserras, president and CEO of AVX Pharma.

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film, and accompanied by ocular symptoms in which tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory abnormalities play etiological roles. Prevalence reported in the USA, Australia and Europe (Spain) is approximately 5-15 %, 25% in Canada and 30-50% in Asia. Dry Eye therapeutics market is expected to grow to $4.6 Billion by 2024.

AVX Pharma is a clinical-stage Spanish biotech ophthalmology company founded in 2013 in Alicante and with offices in Barcelona Science Park, focused on developing novel therapies for Dry Eye Syndrome based on Prof. Carlos Belmonte research on the role of temperature-sensitive neurons in tear film regulation at the Alicante Neurosciences Institute. AVX Pharma lead product candidate AVX-012, a Small Molecule with a new Mechanism of Action, is in clinical development for Dry Eye Syndrome.

Image: Patrick Tresserras, president and CEO of AVX Pharma. (Foto: Parc Científic de Barcelona).