Aldeyra Therapeutics, a biotechnology company. announced that it has enrolled the first patient in a phase 3 clinical trial of topical ocular ADX-102 for the treatment of noninfectious anterior uveitis (NAU).

"Based on positive results from our nnounced last year, we are excited to commence phase 3 clinical testing of our novel, in noninfectious anterior uveitis," commented Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Aldeyra. "NAU is a rare and potentially blinding ocular disorder that affects an estimated 150,000 patients in the United States. In contrast to corticosteroids, which are often used to treat NAU, ADX-102 does not appear to cause increases in intraocular pressure -- a precursor to glaucoma -- and thus may represent a safer therapeutic option than the current standard of care."

ADX-102 and other product candidates generated from Aldeyra's aldehyde trap platform sequester and facilitate the degradation of aldehydes, a class of endogenously generated pro-inflammatory mediators. In a phase 2 clinical trial in, 0.5% topical ocular ADX-102 led to the resolution of inflammation to the same degree as corticosteroid therapy, but without the increases in intraocular pressure observed in corticosteroid-treated patients.

The phase 3 clinical trial is expected to enroll up to 100 NAU patients with active disease, randomized equally to receive either 0.5% topical ocular ADX-102 or vehicle for four weeks. Consistent with the phase 2 trial, the primary endpoint will be the resolution of inflammation. Results of the phase 3 trial are expected in the second half of 2018.