Nerve growth trial goes international

Neurotrophic keratitis patients to get eyedrop treatment.

A phase two REPARO study trialling the ophthalmological use of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in treating severe neurotrophic keratitis (NK) has gone international, with the first patient enrolled into the programme yesterday (February 13th).

The degenerative disease threatens the sight in those it afflicts by attacking the cornea and forming an ulcer, with one in 10,000 people across the world suffering from its conditions.

While previous studies have been conducted into treating NK, this is the first to involve international patients, with high hopes they can provide an insight into a potential sight-saving treatment.

The primary objective of the trial is to examine the safety and efficiency of administering NGF formula to the affected area in the form of traditional eyedrops.

Eugenio Aringhieri, chief executive of the Dompe Group which is conducting the study, said: "There is an increasing international awareness of ophthalmological diseases and the need to find new approaches to treating them."