The Global Uveitis Market currently has many new technologically innovative products in the pipeline, which will improve efficacy and safety profiles in the clinical trial stage of development, thereby significantly reducing the progression of the disease.
The advancements that could come about from uveitis treatment options currently in the pipeline is sparking serious market growth at a CAGR of 26.46 percent for the 2013-2018 period.
What is Uveitis?
Uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (i.e. the uvea), also known as the uceal tract. The uvea consists of the iris, choroid and ciliary body. Infections, injury and autoimmune disorders may be related to the development of uveitis, however the exact cause is often unknown.
Various types of uveitis are: anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, and pan uveitis. The most common type of uveitis is an inflammation of the iris called iritis (anterior uveitis). Uveitis can be serious, leading to permanent vision loss.
Current Uveitis Treatment Options
The most significant treatment options for the treatment of uveitis include corticosteroids and biologics:
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are used in the treatment for immune-mediated diseases, including non-infectious uveitis and ocular inflammation, because they are inexpensive, potent and rapidly effective. Corticosteroids have been the mainstay of treatment in the uveitis market. For instance, Durezol, Ozurdex, and Retisert all fall under this category and have been used in the treatment of uveitis.
Biologics
The use of biologics represents a new way to treat uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease that cannot be controlled with conventional immunosuppressive drugs. Biologics can also include recombinant cytokines such as interleukin or interferon. Adalimumab (Humira) is the most common anti-TNF-α agent that has been used to treat ocular inflammation. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-2 are involved in posterior uveitis associated with autoimmune disease.
Currently, none of the biologics drugs have been approved for the treatment of ocular inflammation. However, off-label use of these drugs to treat ocular immune-mediated diseases such as uveitis has been observed.
Uveitis Pipeline Projects
Luveniq
Luveniq is a novel calcineurin inhibitor and was engineered to be very effective, while minimizing the safety and side effect issues that are drawbacks of existing drugs in this class. Luveniq (NDA submitted) is being developed by Lux Biosciences Inc., a biotechnology company for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis.
Humira
Humira (adalimumab) is a TNF inhibitor for the treatment of uveitis. Humira blocks its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors. Humira (phase III) is being developed by AbbVie which is a research-based pharmaceutical company.
Medidur
Medidur is a sustained-release drug delivery system for the treatment for posterior uveitis, or inflammation in the back of the eye. Medidur (phase III) is being developed by pSivida Corp. for the treatment of uveitis. pSivida is a leading provider of miniaturized, sustained-release drug delivery products and is continuing the evolution of these systems.
DE-109
DE-109 (phase III) is being developed by Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (sirolimus) for the treatment of uveitis. DE-109 has been assigned orphan drug status by the regulatory authorities in the US and Europe for the indication of non-infectious posterior uveitis. Santen is a specialized pharmaceutical company offering various prescription pharmaceuticals.
EGP-437
EGP-437 is a corticosteroid product for the treatment of uveitis with a novel route of administration. It is delivered into the eye using Eyegate II Delivery System, an iontophoresis technology. EGP-437 (phase III) is being developed by EyeGate Pharmaceuticals Inc. which is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company
Gevokizumab
Gevokizumab (XOMA 052) (phase III) is a potent monoclonal antibody being developed by XOMA Corp. The FDA has awarded orphan drug status to gevokizumab for the treatment of non-infectious, intermediate, posterior or pan uveitis, and chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis and Behçet’s uveitis. XOMA Corp. is a biotechnology company that focuses on the discovery and development of monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics.
CF101
CF101 is an orally bioavailable small molecule synthetic drug. CF101 (phase III) is being developed by OphthaliX Inc., an advanced clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, that focuses on developing therapeutic products for the treatment of ophthalmic disorders.
Peptide B27PD
Peptide B27PD is a corticosteroid-sparing agent for chronic non-infectious uveitis in participants receiving oral corticosteroid therapy alone or combined with an immunosuppressive agent. Peptide B27PD (phase I/II) is being developed by Enzo Biochem Inc. for the treatment of uveitis.
Some of the drugs in the pipeline, Luveniq (NDA filled) by Lux Biosciences and Humira (phase III) by AbbVie, are the most promising as they have shown encouraging response rates in pre-treated patients and have great potential. Similarly, other promising drugs are DE-109 (phase III) by Santen Pharmaceutical and EGP-437 (phase III) by EyeGate Pharmaceuticals.
Moreover, if approved, pipeline candidates will provide alternative treatment options to the current therapies. These products are expected to meet some of the unmet need and will provide physicians with a better choice in treating uveitis. Hence, the market is expected to reap large revenues with the promising drug pipeline.
