Viatris Inc., a global healthcare company, and Ocuphire Pharma, Inc., a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ryzumvi (phentolamine ophthalmic solution) 0.75% for the treatment of pharmacologically-induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists (e.g., phenylephrine) or parasympatholytic (e.g., tropicamide) agents. Ryzumvl is expected to be commercially available in the US in the first half of 2024.
"The FDA's approval of Ryzumvl marks a significant milestone for our Eye Care Division and underscores Viatris' commitment to advancing eye care and enhancing access for both eye care professionals and patients," said Viatris Eye Care Division President Jeffrey Nau, Ph.D. "Comprehensive dilated eye exams are vital for early detection of vision-compromising diseases. Our hope is that by addressing patient dilation barriers, we're empowering eye care professionals to broaden exam availability, leading to enhanced eye health outcomes. We look forward to launching Ryzumvi in the first half of next year, and to continuing to advance our robust eye care pipeline which is aimed at addressing a range of vision-related disorders."
In the US, an estimated 100 million comprehensive eye exams take place each year that involve pharmacologically-induced mydriasis (or dilation) of the pupils, which can last up 24 hours. Side effects of pharmacologically-induced mydriasis include sensitivity to light (photophobia) and blurred vision, which may make it difficult to read, work and drive.
"We are pleased to receive FDA approval of Ryzumvi eye drops and look forward to Viatris' successful commercial execution," said Rick Rodgers, MBA, interim chief executive officer of Ocuphire. "We are grateful to the many patients and investigators who participated in our clinical trials, as well as the Ocuphire and Viatris teams for their commitment to patients."
Ryzumvi was evaluated in the comprehensive MIRA clinical trial program involving more than 600 subjects, including the MIRA-1 phase 2b trial, MIRA-2 and MIRA-3 phase 3 pivotal trials, and MIRA-4 phase 3 pediatric trial. In the MIRA-2 and MIRA-3 trials, a total of 553 subjects aged 12 to 80 years, who had mydriasis induced by instillation of phenylephrine or tropicamide or a combination of hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide and tropicamide (Paremyd) were randomized. Two drops (study eye) or one drop (fellow eye) of Ryzumvi or placebo (vehicle) were administered one hour after instillation of the mydriatic agent. The percentage of subjects with study eyes returning to =0.2 mm from baseline pupil diameter was statistically significantly greater (p<0.01) at all time points measured from 60 minutes through 24 hours in the Ryzumvi group compared with the placebo (vehicle) group across both of the MIRA-2 and MIRA-3 trials. The efficacy of Ryzumvi was similar for all age ranges including pediatric subjects aged 3 to 17 years. Paediatric subjects aged 12 to 17 years (n=27) were treated in MIRA-2 and MIRA-3 and paediatric subjects, aged 3 to 11 years (n=11) were treated in MIRA-4.
The most common ocular adverse reactions reported in >5% of subjects were instillation site discomfort including pain, stinging and burning (16%) and conjunctival hyperaemia (12%). The only non-ocular adverse reaction reported in >5% of subjects was dysgeusia (6%).
An estimated 100 million eye dilations are conducted every year in the US to examine the retina (back-of-the-eye) either for routine check-ups, disease monitoring or surgical procedures.
Pharmacologically-induced mydriasis can last up to 24 hours in adults and children. Side effects of pharmacologically-induced mydriasis include sensitivity to light (photophobia) and blurred vision, which may make it difficult to read or work and drive.
Ryzumvi is an anti-microbial preservative-free, topical eye drop formulation of phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% that is FDA-approved to treat pharmacologically-induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists (e.g., phenylephrine) or parasympatholytic (e.g., tropicamide) agents. Ryzumvi is a relatively non-selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Dilation of the pupil is primarily controlled by the radial iris dilator muscles surrounding the pupil; these muscles are activated by the alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Phentolamine reversibly binds to these receptors on the iris dilator muscle, thereby reducing pupil diameter. Phentolamine directly antagonizes the mydriatic effect of an a-1 adrenergic agonist, and indirectly reverses mydriasis induced by muscarinic antagonist effects on the iris sphincter muscle.
Viatris Inc. is a global healthcare company empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. The company provide access to medicines, advance sustainable operations, develop innovative solutions and leverage our collective expertise to connect more people to more products and services through our one-of-a-kind Global Healthcare Gateway.
Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing small-molecule therapies for the treatment of retinal and refractive eye disorders.
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