Study finds possible new treatment of corneal ulcers in neurotrophic keratitis patients

Italy-Italian biopharmaceutical company Dompé is researching recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) for the treatment of corneal ulcers in patients affected by neurotrophic keratitis.

rhNGF is in clinical development in the REPARO study, which is being conducted at 39 centers in nine European countries. Preliminary data from Phase I of the study, involving patients affected by moderate or severe neurotrophic keratitis, demonstrates that rhNGF is well tolerated.

The study examined 18 patients (seven men and 11 women) suffering from moderate or severe neurotrophic keratitis resulting from diabetes, eye infections caused by the herpes virus, infections, neurosurgical interventions, and other related diseases, and who did not respond to currently available medical treatments.

The patients were divided into four groups. In the first group, patients were administered an eye drop solution for topical use at a dose of 10 µg/ml. In the second group, a simple vehicle was administered. In the third group, a dose of 20 µg/ml was given and, in the fourth group, a placebo was administered. At the end of the treatment, 11 patients had a notable improvement in corneal conditions.