Harrow Launches Dry Eye Drug Vevye in the United States
Harrow announced that Vevye (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.1% is now available in the United States. It is indicated for treating the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).
Vevye is the company’s nonpreserved, twice-daily dosed prescription drug based on a water free semifluorinated alkane eyedrop technology. It is dispensed in a 10 microliter drop.
In Harrow’s press release, key opinion leaders in the ophthalmic field discussed the introduction of Vevye to the United States market, as follows:
“As an ophthalmologist and ocular surface specialist, I have served as principal investigator in over 120 clinical trials, half of which targeted DED,” commented ophthalmologist John D. Sheppard, MD. “As participants in Vevye’s clinical trials, our team found the results to be compelling. The data in both consecutive registration trials demonstrated impressive efficacy, safety, and tolerability, with rapid clinical onset beginning as early as 15 days and continuous improvement for more than 1 year.” Dr. Sheppard, who is founding senior partner of Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia, continued, “Vevye represents not just an innovative treatment; it exemplifies the penultimate synthesis of outstanding vehicle with cyclosporine, the active pharmaceutical ingredient, boasting a superlative decades long track record. Tolerability and risk profile are impressive compared with most existing dry eye products, portending improved patient compliance. Indicated for both signs and symptoms, VEVYE should expand the market and fundamentally enhance DED treatment algorithms.”
Paul Karpecki, OD, who is Director, Cornea, and External Disease, at Kentucky Eye Institute, and associate professor, Kentucky College of Optometry UPIKE, in Lexington, Kentucky, stated, “When a patient presents with DED, it is often difficult to initially classify them into a specific category, such as aqueous deficient, evaporative, or a combination of the two. In addition, they often present with inflammation leading to many of their dry eye symptoms. That is why Vevye, with cyclosporine in a semifluorinated alkane solution, provides us with a valuable tool to address the signs and symptoms of dry eye holistically, regardless of etiology.”
Richard Adler, MD, an ophthalmologist at Belcara Health in Baltimore, Maryland, added, “Vevye continues the trend of advanced cyclosporine formulations coming to market that are designed to address key issues of onset of action and tolerability. As the first cyclosporine with an FDA indication for signs and symptoms and the first anti inflammatory drop in the new category of anhydrous or water-free formulations, Vevye is well positioned to add unique clinical value to the expanding market of excellent anti-inflammatory DED therapeutics.”
Courtney Bovee, MD, cataract and glaucoma surgeon at The Macula Center and Blue Ocean Clinical Research Center in Tampa Bay, Florida, stated, “As a glaucoma specialist who treats advanced glaucoma, I’ve been looking forward to the availability of Vevye, a two-hit treatment for ocular surface disease targeting longstanding inflammation and corneal damage in as quickly as 15 days. A large portion of patients with glaucoma also have DED with extensive cornea damage due to the use of topical glaucoma medications. I look forward to the rapid relief my patients will receive from the addition of preservative-free Vevye.”
John A. Hovanesian, MD, a cataract, corneal, and laser eye surgeon and a principal at Harvard Eye Associates in Laguna Hills, California, commented, “Clinicians have been waiting a long time for a dry eye treatment that combines the effectiveness of cyclosporine with the tolerability of this unique semifluorinated alkane vehicle. In Vevye, the vehicle makes all the difference, allowing the product to spread evenly over the ocular surface with longer residual time and increased penetration of cyclosporine.”
“As an eyecare professional, I recognize the critical need for a dry eye product that not only acts swiftly and effectively, but also is comfortable enough to encourage continued patient use,” stated William B. Trattler, MD. “A dry eye product that is well tolerated, has no or mild discomfort or adverse effects, and can easily be incorporated into a patient’s daily routine is key to successful long-term management of dry eye syndrome. VEVYE’s twice daily dosing should also contribute to patient compliance, thus promoting overall effectiveness of the treatment. I am excited to see the positive changes that VEVYE can bring to patients suffering from DED.” Dr. Trattler, who is cataract, refractive, and corneal surgeon and Director of Cornea at the Center for Excellence in Eye Care, Miami, Florida.