A novel therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), developed from treatment for a chronic form of dermatitis and dandruff, holds promise for a better solution option for dry eye disease (DED).
AZR-MD-001, the lead product of young, Israeli-Australian biotech company Azura Ophthalmics, is the first ophthalmic keratolytic for the treatment of lid margin diseases such as MGD, blepharitis and contact lens discomfort.
Research over the past decade has pointed to hyperkeratinization, or the build-up and shedding of the protein keratin into the meibomian gland ducts, as a root cause of obstructive MGD, the main cause of DED.
Currently, the only treatments for MGD are considered both invasive and cumbersome for patients, said Marc Gleeson, Azura Ophthalmics CEO. “Technologies designed to melt the meibum oils to help restore the tear film lipid layer do not address the underlying causes of MGD, including hyperkeratinisation, while mechanical approaches targeted directly at hyperkeratinisation can be invasive and unpleasant for patients. For this reason, they are unlikely to have broad efficacy or acceptance across the general population, or prevent disease progression in patients who are identified to be suffering from MGD and/or altered lipid production.”
AZR-MD-001 is a novel ophthalmic formulation of the keratolytic agent, selenium disulfide, which has been used successfully to treat pityriasis versicolor, seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff. “Selenium disulphide has a triple mechanism of action, it slows down keratin production, breaks down keratin and increases the quantity of lipid produced by the meibomian glands, a unique property of selenium disulphide,” said Gleeson.
