Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Research
OV-02 for the Treatment of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
(Shingles of the Eye)
Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus is caused by varicella zoster virus (Shingles) reactivation within the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. The disease can vary in severity from mild to sight-threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment is necessary to prevent vision loss. Herpes zoster infection is estimated to affect 3.07% of the United States population each year (Harpaz et al., 2008) (US Census Bureau, 2018).
Current Therapy for Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
There are currently no FDA approved drugs for the treatment of Herpes Zoster Opthalmicus. It is typically treated with systemic oral antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, to limit viral replication. As ocular manifestations of the disease, especially keratitis, can be sight-threatening, systemic antiviral therapy is often accompanied by the adjunctive use of topical steroid drops to reduce inflammation and control immune-associated keratitis and iritis.
Although ophthalmic steroids reduce inflammation in the eye, they do not kill the virus causing the inflammation.
Advantages of OV-02 in the Treatment of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus With Ocular Involvement
Turn Therapeutics® is developing OV-02 as an ophthalmic ointment for direct application in patients experiencing the symptoms of Herpes Zoster Opthalmicus. As OV‑02 is a non-sensitizing, non-irritating ophthalmic formulation with antiviral properties, Turn Therapeutics™ contends that OV‑02 will provide an adjunctive treatment option for patients with HZO.OV‑02 will likely be used in addition to oral antiviral therapy and is intended to reduce the time to recovery of the ocular manifestations of HZO, and may reduce the need for the use of topical ophthalmic steroids, thereby prospectively decreasing steroid‑associated ocular risks. Turn Therapeutics™ intends OV-02 to be entering human clinical trials for the treatment of Herpes Zoster Opthalmicus in Q1, 2022.
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