Preservative-free Iyuzeh demonstrates similar efficacy to Xalatan in POAG/OHT

Preservative-free Iyuzeh (latanoprost ophthalmic solution; Thea Pharma) 0.005% demonstrated comparable efficacy to Xalatan (latanoprost ophthalmic solution; Pfizer) 0.005%, which contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAK), in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT), according to Phase 3 clinical trial data presented at the 2023 American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Annual Meeting.

Presenter Jason Bacharach, MD said that in the trial the solutions were compared in 334 patients over 84 days, resulting in similar clinically meaningful reductions in IOP from baseline (≤18 mmHg). Patients treated with Iyuzeh had fewer ocular adverse events than those treated with Xalatan (13.9% vs 22.5%), with <2% of patients in the Iyuzeh group experiencing instillation site pain, pruritis, or conjunctival hyperemia.

“The harmful effects of preservatives on ocular surface health are well documented,” Susan Benton, President of Thea Pharma, Inc., said in a company press release. “We have solved the challenge of creating a room temperature-stable, efficacious, and preservative-free latanoprost eye drop. IYUZEH brings the IOP-lowering efficacy of latanoprost and eliminates the exposure to preservatives for patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.”