Lux Biosciences reports positive results from Phase III uveitis program

Lux Biosciences, a biotechnology company, has reported positive results from an international Phase III program in uveitis, the Luminate trials, which demonstrated the ability of LX211 to significantly improve this chronic eye inflammation.

Additionally, in patients who are discontinuing potentially toxic medications for uveitis, such as the corticosteroid prednisone, LX211 actively reduces the rate of inflammatory exacerbations by 50% at six months, compared to placebo, said Lux Biosciences.

The study results also show a safety profile for LX211 at the 0.4mg/kg bid dose that suggests the experimental drug would be suitable for chronic use as the first oral treatment for this sight-threatening inflammatory eye disease, while also providing a means to greatly reduce the serious health risks associated with long-term corticosteroid use, the company added.

LX211 is a novel and proprietary next-generation calcineurin inhibitor that Lux Biosciences is developing for ophthalmic uses.

Ulrich Grau, president and CEO of Lux Biosciences, said: We are pleased with the demonstrated clinical effect of LX211 in uveitis, coupled with what appears to be an acceptable side effect profile while reducing the need for systemic corticosteroid to half of the current guideline recommendation.

We’re now pursuing regulatory filings, and if approved for commercialization by the appropriate regulatory agencies, LX211 would become the first agent in this class available in the US and most other markets for the treatment of uveitis.