Minocycline has long been recognized by ophthalmologists for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Hovione Pharmaceuticals has recently completed the Phase 2 clinical trial of their minocycline microparticle suspension for patients with dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and study results are promising. The tentative brand name for this product is Meizuvo®.
While minocycline has long been used for meibomian gland dysfunction in an oral form, Hovione is testing the molecule in an eyedrop form, thus avoiding systemic side effects.
Untreated inflammation on the surface of the eye may cause a decrease in corneal barrier function and, in turn, worsen dry eye symptoms. The minocycline therapy is the first dry eye therapy specifically targeting MGD patients suffering from ocular inflammation.
Study results showed a positive clinical outcome in 70% of the study participants with an improvement of 25 points in the Visual Analogue Scale discomfort after 2 weeks of treatment. That number increased to 35 points at the end of the treatment period. Researchers also noted that less than 3% of test subjects reported any blurring vision or eye irritation.
