Eye drops, safety and tolerability

An eye drop formulation of laquinimod has been developed, and a preclinical safety and toxicity bridging program for topical treatment has been completed. A phase I study of laquinimod eye drops in healthy subjects started in December 2021, and the study was completed in January 2023. The study enrolled a total of 54 healthy subjects. Subjects received laquinimod eye drops as a single ascending dose in part 1 and as repeated doses up to 21 days in part 2. The primary objective of the study was safety and tolerability of laquinimod eye drops and the secondary readouts included ocular toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and plasma exposure. More information about the study design is available at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05187403).

The eye drop formulation of laquinimod was well tolerated showing a beneficial safety and tolerability profile at dose levels where we expect to achieve therapeutic concentrations. No serious adverse events were reported. Data from the recently completed phase I study together with preclinical data showing the distribution of laquinimod to the back of the eye after administration of the eye drop formulation to rabbits were presented at a poster session at the International Ocular Inflammation Society (IOIS) 2023 meeting in Berlin, Germany, 6-9 September 2023.