Eyenovia and SGN Nanopharma team up to develop a treatment for chronic DED

News
Article

The companies announced that they will be working to develop SGN’s micellar nanoparticle platform to be used with Eyenovia’s Optejet dispenser in a news release.

Doctor and businessman shake hands Image credit: AdobeStock/HashGraphix/AI

Image credit: AdobeStock/HashGraphix/AI

Eyenovia and SGN Nanopharma have announced a collaboration agreement with the end goal to develop a treatment for chronic dry eye disease.1 The ophthalmic and nano-pharmaceutical companies are working to develop SGN’s micellar nanoparticle platform (MNP), a platform-based cyclosporine formulation to be used with Eyenovia’s Optejet dispenser, according to a news release.

“Our MNP cyclosporine was shown to be statistically superior in a head-to-head clinical study versus the current standard of care. The data demonstrates the efficacy of MNP Cyclosporine in as little as four weeks and a lower incidence of side effects such as corneal irritation,” said Navdeep Jaikaria, PhD, BSc (Hons), chairman and CEO of SGN Nanopharma, in the release. “With the precision dosing afforded by the Optejet dispenser, we believe we can further improve this promising drug's efficacy and tolerability profile. Our ‘drug-device’ combination therapy with Eyenovia has the potential to be the ‘best-in-class’ and to significantly improve patient outcomes and market penetration in this highly underserved dry eye market. We look forward to working with our partners at Eyenovia, and our investors toward this goal.”

Eyenova and SGN are currently validating the novel drug-device combination manufacturability to support clinical testing. An FDA consultation meeting will then be scheduled to discuss the clinical development of the product.1

A number of different APIs can be used with SGN’s MNP technology, including amorphous, crystalline, charged, and poorly water soluble ingredients. The technology can also coformulate multiple APIs with different physicochemical property in order to create stable and scalable formulations. Additionally, one API can be released faster than another when releasing several through the technology, allowing for more than 3 phases of administration. A slower release, for example, can be applied to an API in the oil phase in order to delay its availability to interact with the tissue. Stability has been demonstrated in more than 25 different APIs as stand alone or combination formulations.2

As for Eyenovia’s Otejet technology, dispensing topical eye medications remains consistent at the push of a button. The dispenser administers an 8μL dose of medication to the cornea in order to prevent drug overflow and possible overdosing.3

“Notwithstanding the widespread use of cyclosporine-based treatments for dry eye disease, currently available formulations have significant shortcomings, including a delayed onset of action of up to 12 weeks and unpleasant side effects that result in significant patient attrition and non-compliance,” said Michael Rowe, Eyenovia CEO, in the release. “The Optejet dispenser has been shown in prior studies to deliver a therapeutic dose of medication with 80% less drug volume, thereby minimizing exposure to harmful preservatives and improving tolerability. We believe the power of SGN’s MNP platform, when combined with the Optejet, will result in a more efficacious and better tolerated cyclosporine-based treatment that we believe has the potential to become the standard of care in this multi-billion-dollar addressable market.”

References:
  1. Eyenovia and SGN Nanopharma announce collaboration agreement to develop novel treatment for chronic dry eye disease. News release. Eyenovia. July 30, 2024. Accessed July 30, 2024. https://ir.eyenovia.com/news-releases/news-release-details/eyenovia-sgn-nanopharma-announce-collaboration-agreement-develop
  2. Our MNP nano-tech platform. SGN Nanopharma. Accessed July 30, 2024. https://sgnnanopharma.com/technology/
  3. Optejet technology. Eyenovia. Accessed July 30, 2024. https://eyenovia.com/optejet-technology/#top

Newsletter

Want more insights like this? Subscribe to Optometry Times and get clinical pearls and practice tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Recent Videos
Matt Jones, OD; Matt Burns, OD; and Joe Sugg, OD; detailed what optometrists can expect to change when HB 1353's regulations are enacted later this year.
Elise Kramer, OD, FAAO, FSLS, describes her take on a multidisciplinary approach to dry eye
Dana Shannon, OD, FAAO, shares pearls on spotting red flags in need of referral and enhancing patient care with follow-up compliance.
Dana Shannon, OD, FAAO, detailed a lecture she gave at the NOA Midwestern Symposium earlier this month.
Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, gave 2 presentations alongside other ODs and MDs at CRU 2025.
Melissa Tawa, OD, FAAO, provides insights to take glaucoma management from reactive to proactive in presentations given at CRU 2025 in Napa, California.
Rachelle Lin, OD, MS, FAAO, details her presentation on inherited retinal diseases at CRU 2025.
Jennifer Li, MD, details a talk she gave alongside Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, at CRU 2025 in Napa, California.
Deb Ristvedt, DO, details a handful of presentations on glaucoma she gave during CRU 2025 in Napa, California.
Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, weighs in on patient assessments, staining pattern insights, and diagnostic tips for patients who may have dry eye disease.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.