PLYMOUTH, Minn. /eNewsChannels/ — NEWS: SilkTears, LLC, a privately held, research-based and product-driven biotechnology company, announced today that advances in protein-based excipient technology may allow for the development of artificial tear products that will more closely represent certain characteristics of the natural makeup of the tear film, and may help the significant population of patients suffering from dry eye syndrome.
SilkTears, LLC has developed a naturally derived water-soluble protein product, termed HXP-27, which shows promise for use as an excipient in ophthalmic formulations. A key component of the natural tear film is protein, which heretofore has not been used as an ingredient in existing commercially available over-the-counter (OTC) artificial tear products.
Protein is an essential nutrient to the eye’s surface and is widely published by experts in the field of ocular surface disease management as being necessary for healthy tear film formation, and the lack of certain proteins is thought to be a significant driver of dry eye conditions.
Paul M. Karpecki, OD, FAAO, head of the ocular surface disease clinic and director of clinical research at Koffler Vision Group, states, “Proteins have long been thought to be the key component providing success in advanced dry eye treatments. This naturally-derived protein and its ability to effectively integrate with a demulcent, allows for improved spreading in vitro and may play a key role in the management of dry eye disease.”
The addition of protein to formulations has been a challenge in the past due to limiting factors related to biocompatibility, material instability, and limited production capability to meet the demands of OTC tear products. SilkTears, LLC’s patented technology has displayed promising results in pre-clinical studies to be biocompatible when applied to the eye, and has demonstrated prolonged shelf stability.
In addition, the protein is derived from a natural renewable resource that allows for cost effective production and is readily available for commercial scaling purposes.
About SilkTears, LLC:
SilkTears, LLC is a privately held, research-based and product-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of the patented, water soluble protein, HXP-27, for use in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals to enhance certain formulation characteristics. For more information, contact SilkTears, LLC at media@silktears.com.
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