Opko Health Inc. acquires rights for dry eye treatment

Miami-Exclusive rights were acquired by Opko Health Inc. to develop a topical formulation of civamide for ophthalmic use, such as the treatment of dry eye.

Increased tear production was found in more than 50% of treated patients and there were no systematic side effects.

Currently there is only one prescription product approved by FDA for the treatment of dry eye disease.

No terms of the agreement or the company that sold the rights were stated. An intranasal formulation of civamide channel blocker, is being reviewed in phase III trials as a possible treatment for pain.