Dompé farmaceutici has been a leader in the research and development of innovative therapies based on neurotrophins for more than a decade. Neurotrophins are proteins that are derived from Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and are responsible for the proliferation and differentiation of different cell types.
The discovery of the Nerve Growth Factor earned Rita Levi Montalcini and Stanley Cohen the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1986, but therapeutic development did not begin until 24 years later with Dompé’s acquisition of the rights for the development, production, and marketing of NGF in 2010. Our research has focused on the study of the first therapeutic application of Montalcini’s studies. The resulting development process of the human recombinant NGF-based drug, Cenegermin, has seen multiple breakthroughs including the production of a stable active ingredient and a drug that can be used in the treatment of eye diseases, among other objectives.Neurotrophic keratitis
Our researchers were the first in the world to develop an innovative method to enable the production of the first biotech drug for the treatment of neurotrophic keratitis (Neurotrophic Keratitis - NK), a rare corneal ocular disease, that was an orphan disease until 2017. In recognition of Cenegermin’s groundbreaking innovation, the FDA granted the treatment "Breakthrough Therapy Designation" in 2018 and, during the registration process, conferred "Fast Track" and "Priority Review" status.
Scientific evidence on the role of NGF in the homeostasis of the corneal epithelium informed our focus on neurotrophins in our search for a treatment for neurotrophic keratitis. NGF’s characteristics and powerful biological properties made it possible to study topical formulations.
The difficulties of producing and storing the active ingredient and of finding the appropriate pharmaceutical formulation for its therapeutic use have long been major obstacles to the development of a new drug to treat neurotrophic keratitis. Recent research has enabled us to overcome the difficulties in development and have helped us to better understand the specific mechanisms of action of neurotrophins in many cellular and tissue types.
Sjögren's syndrome
Primary Sjögren's syndrome is an immunological disease characterized mainly by dry mouth and eyes but can also involve other organs and systems, such as the peripheral nervous system and joints. Secondary Sjögren's syndrome is associated with the same symptoms as other rheumatological diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue diseases.
Numerous studies have demonstrated a neurosensory component to the ocular surface in Sjögren's syndrome, with alterations in corneal nerve structures and function associated with reduced tear function, inflammation and epithelial damage. This evidence suggests that treatment with Cenegermin may also be effective in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
The road ahead
Dompé believes that research into neurotrophins is only just beginning. Our work is continuing to lead in the characterizing of variants–natural or biotechnologically engineered–of NGF proteins in order to better understand their effects on different types of neurons.
Our ambition is to identify and produce new and more effective proteins suitable for drug development in different therapeutic indications that offer the patient community new options for treatment. At Dompé, we believe that our success in ophthalmology is only the first step in the search for answers to many other conditions that still lack an adequate therapeutic answer.
Neurotrophins pipeline
Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor (rhNGF)
INN (International Non-proprietary Name): Cenegermin
The Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a polypeptide essential for the survival and growth of sympathetic and sensory neurons and for differentiation of neurons in the central nervous system. The protein is highly conserved across species, with human NGF (hNGF) and murine NGF (mNGF) sharing 90% homology in amino-acid sequence of mature protein.
NGF binds two distinct classes of receptors:
1) tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), a transmembrane tyrosine kinase that is also known as high-affinity NGF receptor, and
2) low affinity NGF receptor (p75 LNGFR), also called p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR).
NGF and its receptors are expressed, in addition to the other compartments, both in the anterior and the posterior segment of the eye, and play a crucial role in the physiopathology of several ocular diseases.
Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Oxervate® Ophthalmic Solution vs Vehicle in Severe Sjogren's Dry Eye Disease
Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Cenegermin (Oxervate) 20 mcg/mL vs Vehicle, in Patients With Sjogren's Dry Eye
Study to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of rhNGF Eye Drops in Healthy Volunteers
Study to Evaluate OXERVATE™ in Patients With Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratitis (DEFENDO)
Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF Eye Drops at Different Doses in Patients With Dry Eye
Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF in Patients With Stage 2 and 3 Neurotrophic Keratitis. (REPARO)
A Dose Ranging Study to Evaluate the Safety and Potential Efficacy of rhNGF in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) (Lumos)
Evaluation of Efficacy of 20 µg/ml rhNGF New Formulation (With Anti-oxidant) in Patients With Stage 2 and 3 NK
An 8-week Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of NGF Eye Drops Solution Versus Vehicle in Patients With Dry Eye
Nerve Growth Factor Eye Drops Treatment in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa and Cystoid Macular Edema (NEMO)
Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF Eye Drops Solution Versus Vehicle in Patients With Glaucoma (NGF-Glaucoma)
A 8 Weeks Study to Evaluate Efficacy & Safety of rhNGF vs Vehicle in Patients After Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Study to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability & PK of rhNGF in Healthy Volunteers
A Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF Eye Solution vs Vehicle in Patients With Moderate to Severe Dry Eye
Neurotrophins publications
Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. June 2022
Bioengineered Human Stromal Lenticule for Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor Release: A Potential Biocompatible Ocular Drug Delivery System
International Journal of Molecular Sciences March 2022
MicroRNAs Expression in response to rhNGF in Epithelial Corneal Cells: Focus on Neurotrophin Signaling Pathway
Frontiers in Pharmacology March 2022
Intravitreal administration of rhNGF enhances regenerative processes in a zebrafish model of retinal degeneration
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases February 2022
Eight months follow-up of corneal nerves and sensitivity after treatment with cenegermin for neurotrophic keratopathy
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases February 2022
Long-term clinical efficacy of topical treatment with recombinant human nerve growth factor in neurotrophic keratopathy: a novel cure for a rare degenerative corneal disease?
Frontiers in Pharmacology January 2022
Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor (Cenegermin)–Driven Corneal Wound Healing Process: An Evidence-Based Analysis
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology October 2021
Long-term clinical outcome and satisfaction survey in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy after treatment with cenegermin eye drops or amniotic membrane transplantation
Journal of patient-reported outcomes May 2020
Development of the Neurotrophic Keratopathy Questionnaire: Qualitative Research
Nature February 2020
Topical recombinant human Nerve growth factor (rh-NGF) is neuroprotective to retinal ganglion cells by targeting secondary degeneration
The British journal of ophthalmology January 2020
Effect of Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor Eye Drops in Patients With Dry Eye: A Phase IIa, Open Label, Multiple-Dose Study
Ophthalmology January 2020
Topical Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor (Cenegermin) for Neurotrophic Keratopathy: A Multicenter Randomized Vehicle-Controlled Pivotal Trial
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science August 2019
Effect of topical recombinant human nerve growth factor (cenegermin) on corneal sensitivity in patients with neurotrophic keratitis
Value in Health October 2018
Impact of Cenegermin on the quality of life in neurotrophic keratopathy
Ophthalmology September 2018
Phase II Randomized, Double-Masked, Vehicle-Controlled Trial of Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor for Neurotrophic Keratitis
Ophthalmology September 2018
Phase I Trial of Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor for Neurotrophic Keratitis
Current eye research July 2017
Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor Treatment Promotes Photoreceptor Survival in the Retinas of Rats With Retinitis Pigmentosa
The ocular surface January 2017
A Two-Week, Randomized, Double-masked Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Lubricin (150 μg/mL) Eye Drops Versus Sodium Hyaluronate (HA) 0.18% Eye Drops (Vismed®) in Patients With Moderate Dry Eye Disease
Investigative ophthalmology & visual science September 2014
NK1 Receptor Antagonists as a New Treatment for Corneal Neovascularization
Biodrugs : Clinical Immunotherapeutics, Biopharmaceuticals and Gene Therapy June 2014
Safety and pharmacokinetics of escalating doses of human recombinant nerve growth factor eye drops in a double-masked, randomized clinical trial
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science April 2014
Phase I/II dose-ranging, randomized clinical trial of recombinant human nerve growth factor in the treatment of neurotrophic keratitis: Preliminary results
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science June 2013
Phase I, randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled study to evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of recombinant human nerve growth factor eye drops in healthy volunteers
PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences August 2009
Experimental and clinical evidence of neuroprotection by nerve growth factor eye drops: Implications for glaucoma
The New England Journal of Medicine April 1998
Topical Treatment with Nerve Growth Factor for Neurotrophic Keratitis
The New England Journal of Medicine April 1998
Topical treatment with Nerve Growth Factor for Corneal Neurotrophic Ulcers.
NGF0121
Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Oxervate® Ophthalmic Solution vs Vehicle in Severe Sjogren's Dry Eye Disease
The study objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of cenegermin (rhNGF) ophthalmic solution at 20 mcg/mL concentration administered three times daily for 4 weeks in patients with severe Sjogren's dry eye disease.
This is a 4 week phase III, multicenter, double-masked, vehicle-controlled study to evaluate safety and efficacy of cenegermin ophthalmic solution at 20 mcg/mL solution versus vehicle, in patients with severe Sjogren's dry eye disease. During the screening all procedures for inclusion will be performed. From the day of screening the patients will stop any kind of further treatment, except commercially available preservative free artificial tears provided by Sponsor.
At the end of the wash out period, patients meeting the entry criteria for this study will be randomized 1:1 and treated for 4 weeks with either cenegermin ophthalmic solution 20 mcg/mL TID or vehicle TID. During the 4 weeks of masked treatment only the administration of IMP is allowed.
During the follow up period, the patient can administer additional artificial tear eye drops, provided by Sponsor, only if strictly needed, and must document in the patient's diary the number of additional drops administered for each eye.
Patients will then be followed up for efficacy and safety endpoints until week 16 and for safety endpoints until week 24.
The total duration of the study is 25 weeks including 1 week of screening.
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Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Cenegermin (Oxervate) 20 mcg/mL vs Vehicle, in Patients With Sjogren's Dry Eye
The study objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of cenegermin (rhNGF) ophthalmic solution at 20 mcg/mL concentration administered three times daily for 4 weeks in patients with severe Sjogren's dry eye disease who are under chronic treatment with topical Cyclosporine A.
This is a 4 week phase III, multicenter, double-masked, vehicle-controlled study to evaluate safety and efficacy of cenegermin ophthalmic solution at 20 mcg/mL solution versus vehicle, in patients with severe Sjogren's dry eye disease.
During the screening all procedures for inclusion will be performed. From the day of screening the patients will stop any kind of further treatment, except CsA and commercially available preservative free artificial tears provided by Sponsor for a period of 7 days and 9 days. At the end of the washout period , patients meeting the entry criteria for this study will be randomized 1:1 and treated for 4 weeks with either cenegermin ophthalmic solution 20 mcg/mL TID or vehicle TID.
In addition to topical CsA eye drops (both groups will continue with topical CsA eye drops, or other topical ophthalmic treatment of the same class), during the 4 weeks of masked treatment only the administration of IMP is allowed. During the follow up period, the patient can administer additional artificial tear eye drops, provided by Sponsor, only if strictly needed, and must document in the patient's diary the number of additional drops administered for each eye. Patients will then be followed up for efficacy and safety endpoints until week 16 and for safety endpoints until week 24. The total duration of the study is 25 weeks including 1 week of screening.
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Study to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of rhNGF Eye Drops in Healthy Volunteers
The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of single and multiple ascending doses of rhNGF when administered as eye drops in healthy subjects
This is a Phase I, randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled eye drops administration study of rh-NGF in healthy male and female subjects.
This study consists of a single ascending dose part (part 0 one drop single application). Then single ascending dose part (part A; one drop three times a day) and a multiple ascending dose part (part B; one drop three times a day for five days). All parts of the study will consist of 3 ascending dose levels.
In order to support the dose escalation MAD phase from Covance, Basel to Covance, Leeds, an additional cohort (0M) will be conducted at Covance, Leeds at the same dose level as cohort 1M to ensure a degree of consistency between the two sites, i.e. that no dose escalation stopping criteria were met at either site.
In Part 0, each ascending dose cohort will include 3 subjects treated with one dose of rh-NGF.
In part A, each ascending dose cohort will include 6 subjects treated with rh-NGF and 2 with placebo.
In part B, each ascending dose cohort will include 9 subjects treated with rh-NGF drug and 3 with placebo, in addition to cohort 0M, which will include 3 subjects treated with rh-NGF and 1 with placebo
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Study to Evaluate OXERVATE™ in Patients With Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratitis (DEFENDO)
This study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of OXERVATE™ 0.002% (20 mcg/mL) cenegermin-bkbj ophthalmic solution in patients with Stage 1 neurotrophic keratitis (NK).
An 8-week, Multicenter, Open Label, Prospective Study With 24 Weeks of Follow-up to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of OXERVATE™ 0.002% (20 mcg/mL) Cenegermin-bkbj Ophthalmic Solution in Patients With Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratitis (NK)
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Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF Eye Drops at Different Doses in Patients With Dry Eye
The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of different doses of rhNGF when administered as eye drops to patients with dry eye.
This is an open-label study evaluating safety and efficacy of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops at different doses in patients with Dry Eye
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Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF in Patients With Stage 2 and 3 Neurotrophic Keratitis. (REPARO)
This study is aimed at assessing the safety and the efficacy of two dose regimens of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops solution compared to vehicle for inducing a complete healing of stage 2 (persistent epithelial defect) and 3 (corneal ulcer) neurotrophic keratitis
The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and the efficacy of two dose regimens (10 µg/ml or 20 µg/ml 6 times a day) of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops solution compared to vehicle for inducing a complete healing of stage 2 (persistent epithelial defect) and 3 (corneal ulcer) neurotrophic keratitis (NK) as measured by the Reading Center evaluating the clinical pictures of corneal fluorescein staining.
Secondary objectives of the study are to assess the duration of complete healing, improvement in visual acuity and improvement in corneal sensitivity following treatment with rhNGF eye drops solution
This is a combined phase I/II study. The phase I and II segments of the study will be conducted as an 8 week, randomized, double-masked, vehicle controlled, parallel group study (referred to as the controlled treatment period) followed by a 48 or 56 week follow-up period The design of the phase I and phase II segments of the study are identical with the exception that in the phase I segment of the study the randomization scheme is different and patients will be followed with additional safety assessments and blood samples for PK (pharmacokinetic) profiling In the ascending dose Phase I segment of the study two doses of rhNGF 10 and 20 µg/ml will be evaluated in a sequential manner
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A Dose Ranging Study to Evaluate the Safety and Potential Efficacy of rhNGF in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) (Lumos)
The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of two dose regimens of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops solution administered over 6 months versus a vehicle control in patients with typical retinitis pigmentosa. The secondary objective of this study is to attempt to show a dose response by assessing the potential efficacy of the rhNGF dose regimens for improving or slowing the deterioration of visual function outcomes at 3 and 6 months. During a 6 month follow-up period patients will be monitored to determine if there is evidence of a persistent biological effect after discontinuation of the study treatment.
This is a 24-week phase Ib/II, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle controlled, parallel-group, dose-ranging study with a 24-week follow-up period to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of two doses (60 μg/ml and 180 μg/ml) of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops solution versus vehicle in patients with typical retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
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Evaluation of Efficacy of 20 µg/ml rhNGF New Formulation (With Anti-oxidant) in Patients With Stage 2 and 3 NK
Brief Summary:
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 20 µg/ml 6 times a day of rhNGF eye drops solution (formulation containing anti-oxidant) compared to vehicle (formulation containing anti-oxidant) given 6 times a day. The evaluation of efficacy is intended as:
- complete healing of stage 2 (persistent epithelial defect) and 3 (corneal ulcer) neurotrophic keratitis (NK) as measured by the central reading center using corneal fluorescein staining,
- assessing the duration of complete healing,
- improvement in visual acuity and improvement in corneal sensitivity.
An 8-week phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled, parallel group study with a 24 or 32 week follow-up period to evaluate the efficacy of a formulation containing anti-oxidant of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) in 20 μg/ml, eye drops solution versus vehicle containing anti-oxidant in patients with Stage 2 and 3 Neurotrophic Keratitis. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of 20 μg/ml 6 times a day of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) containing anti-oxidant, eye drops solution compared to vehicle (formulation containing anti-oxidant) given 6 times a day in inducing a complete healing of stage 2 (PED) and 3 (corneal ulcer) NK as measured by the central reading center, evaluating the clinical pictures of corneal fluorescein staining.
Secondary objectives were to assess the duration of complete healing, improvement in visual acuity and improvement in corneal sensitivity, and percentage of patients achieving complete corneal clearing defined as complete absence of staining on the modified Oxford Scale.
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An 8-week Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of NGF Eye Drops Solution Versus Vehicle in Patients With Dry Eye
The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of rhNGF when administered as eye drops to patients with dry eye
The secondary objectives of this study were:
- To assess change from baseline in Symptom Assessment In Dry Eye (SANDE) scores (without imputation), corneal and conjunctival staining according to National Eye Institute (NEI) scale, and in Tear Film Break-up Time (TFBUT) and Schirmer test I, following 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.
- To assess change in levels of inflammatory biomarker matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) in tears following 8 weeks of treatment.
- To assess the incidence and frequency of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) following 8 weeks of treatment.
The proposed phase II study is a single-center, randomized, double-masked, parallel-arm, vehicle-controlled trial, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor (rhNGF) eye drops at 20 μg/ml concentration administered six times daily for 8 weeks in patients with dry eye. After confirmation of inclusion and exclusion criteria all eligible patients will be randomized at 2:1 ratio to rhNGF or vehicle control treatment with 8 weeks of study treatments administration with 4 weeks Follow-up.
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Nerve Growth Factor Eye Drops Treatment in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa and Cystoid Macular Edema (NEMO)
This study aims at investigating the therapeutic potential of recombinant human Nerve Growth Factor ( rhNGF ) eye drops treatment in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) associated with cystoid macular edema (CME) in a phase II, randomized, double-masked, controlled clinical trial.
This study aims at investigating the therapeutic potential of recombinant human Nerve Growth Factor ( rhNGF ) eye drops treatment in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) associated with cystoid macular edema (CME) in a phase II, randomized, double-masked, controlled clinical trial.
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Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF Eye Drops Solution Versus Vehicle in Patients With Glaucoma (NGF-Glaucoma)
The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of a 180μg/ml TID dose regimen of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drop solution administered over 8 weeks versus a vehicle control in patients with progressive primary open-angle glaucoma despite IOP control.
The secondary objectives are to measure the changes in BCDVA, visual field, ERG and structural changes in ganglion cell layer and nerve fiber layer thickness measured by optical coherence tomography. The secondary outcomes will be examined at 1, 4 and 8 weeks of therapy, and at 4 and 24 weeks after cessation of therapy (Week 12 visit and Week 32 visit), and will include functional assessments to investigate evidence of a persistent biological effect after discontinuation of the study treatment.
This is an 8 Week phase Ib, monocentric, randomized, double-masked, vehicle controlled, parallel groups, study with a 24 Week follow-up period to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of a 180 μg/ml recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops solution versus vehicle in 60 study participants with chronic primary open angle glaucoma.
Participants may qualify with either progressive optic neuropathy despite maximal current therapy (i.e. IOP reduction), or with stabilized IOP but diminished vision (central or peripheral).
Participants with a qualifying eye will be randomized 2:1 to topical recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) therapy or vehicle placebo control. Examinations for safety and efficacy will occur one week following initiation of therapy, and at 4, 8, 12 and 32 weeks.
All participants in either arm will be followed clinically at 4 weeks after cessation of therapy.
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A 8 Weeks Study to Evaluate Efficacy & Safety of rhNGF vs Vehicle in Patients After Cataract and Refractive Surgery
The primary objective of this exploratory study is to assess preliminary efficacy and safety of rhNGF when administered as eye drops to patients after cataract and refractive surgery.
The main criteria for evaluation were:
- Change from baseline in SANDE scores for severity and frequency assessed at 8 weeks of treatment (primary efficacy endpoint)
- Changes in Cornea vital staining with fluorescein (National Eye Institute [NEI] scales) assessed at 8 weeks of treatment (co-primary efficacy endpoint)
- Changes in conjunctiva vital staining with fluorescein (NEI scales) (secondary efficacy endpoint);
- Changes in Tear Film Break-Up Time (TFBUT)(secondary efficacy endpoint);
- Changes in Cochet-Bonnet corneal aesthesiometry (secondary efficacy endpoint);
- Changes in Nerve count and morphology at scanning laser in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (only patients who had Laser-Assisted In situ Keratomileusis [LASIK] surgery) (secondary efficacy endpoint);
- Changes in SANDE scores (face values) for severity and frequency (secondary efficacy endpoint);
- Incidence and frequency of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), assessed throughout the study (safety endpoint).
The proposed phase II study is a single-centre, randomized, double masked, parallel arm, vehicle-controlled trial, designed to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of rhNGF eye drops at 20 µg/ml concentration administered six times daily for 8 weeks in patients who underwent cataract and corneal refractive surgery, both known to damage the corneal sensory nerve plexus.
After confirmation of inclusion and exclusion criteria all eligible patients will be randomized at 2:1 ratio to rhNGF or vehicle control treatment with 8 weeks of study treatments administration with 4 weeks Follow-up.
NGF0117
Study to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability & PK of rhNGF in Healthy Volunteers
The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of a single short-term and a multiple dose scheme of rhNGF when administered as eye drops in healthy subjects of Japanese ethnicity.
The secondary objective of this study is to assess the pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses of rhNGF when administered as eye drops in healthy subjects of Japanese ethnicity.
This is a Phase I, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled eye drops administration study of rhNGF in healthy male and female subjects of Japanese Ethnicity to evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor Eye Drops (rhNGF 20 μg/mL -formulation containing L-methionine as excipient) versus vehicle (vehicle control containing L-methionine as excipient) in Healthy Male and Female Volunteers of Japanese Ethnicity. The IMP was administered in the study Eye with the following scheme:
Day 1: One drop instilled into study eye (35 μL, corresponding to 0.70 μg of rhNGF).
Day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: One drop six times a day (every 2h) into study eye (210 μL, corresponding to 4.20 μg of rhNGF).
Total dose in the study eye will be 31 drops (1085 μL, equivalent to 21.7 μg rhNGF) over 6 days.
The reference product (vehicle) was administered in the study eye with the following scheme:
Day 1: One drop instilled into study eye (35 μL, corresponding to 0 μg of rhNGF].
Day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: One drop six times a day (every 2h) into study eye (210 μL, corresponding to 0 μg of rhNGF).
A total dose of placebo vehicle in the study eye will be 31 drops (1085 μL, 0 μg rhNGF) over 6 days.
For the Fellow (Non-Study) Eye for all subjects, the scheme was the following:
Day 1: One drop instilled into a fellow eye (35 μL, corresponding to 0 μg of rhNGF).
Day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: One drop six times a day (every 2h) into a fellow eye (210 μL, corresponding to 0 μg of rhNGF).
A total dose of placebo vehicle in the fellow eye will be 31 drops (1085 μL, 0 μg rhNGF) over 6 days.
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A Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF Eye Solution vs Vehicle in Patients With Moderate to Severe Dry Eye
The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of rhNGF eye drops at 20 μg/ml concentration administered two or three times daily for 4 weeks in patients with moderate to severe dry eye. The trial is designed to perform dose ranging.
This is a 4 weeks, Phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled, parallel group study with 12 weeks of follow-up to evaluate safety and efficacy of recombinant human Nerve Growth Factor (rhNGF) eye drops solution versus vehicle, in patients with moderate to severe dry eye (DE).
Test product is rhNGF 20 μg/ml; reference product is vehicle. Test and reference will be instilled in both eyes according to the following scheme:
Group 1: one drop of rhNGF 20 μg/ml will be instilled in both eyes three times daily (every 6-8 hours, e.g. 7:00 am, 02:00 pm; 09:00 pm).
Group 2: one drop of rhNGF 20 μg/ml will be instilled in both eyes two times daily plus one drop (40 μL) of vehicle will be instilled in both eyes once daily (every 6-8 hours, e.g. 7:00 am, 02:00 pm; 09:00 pm).
NB: rhNGF will be instilled in the morning and in the evening while the vehicle will be instilled in the afternoon.
Group 3: vehicle eye one drop will be instilled in both eyes three times daily (every 6-8 hours, e.g. 7:00 am, 02:00 pm; 09:00 pm).
Randomization 1:1:1 of 300 patients to rhNGF eye drops solution 20 μg/ml TID (100 patients) or rhNGF eye drops solution 20 μg/ml BID + vehicle eye drop SID (100 patients) or vehicle eye drops solution (100 patients) TID for 4 weeks.
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