The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Avaclyr (acyclovir ophthalmic ointment; Fera Pharmaceuticals) 3% for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers) in patients with herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2) virus.
Avaclyr is a herpes simplex virus nucleoside analog DNA polymerase inhibitor. The most common adverse reactions associated with treatment include eye pain, punctate keratitis, and follicular conjunctivitis.
This ophthalmic formulation of acyclovir was granted Orphan Drug exclusivity by the FDA. “Working closely with the eye care community we were able to identify a need for additional options to treat herpetic keratitis,” said Frank DellaFera, Fera’s founder and President. “Acyclovir is the gold standard treatment in herpes virus infections so it made sense to provide this therapy in an ophthalmic dosage form.”
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The product is expected to be available following the selection of a commercialization partner by Fera.
For more information visit ferapharma.com.
This article originally appeared on MPR
