OPKO Health And Pathogenics Announces Potential Use Of NCT For Eye Infections - Update

(RTTNews) - OPKO Health, Inc. (OPK | news | PowerRating | PR Charts ) and Pathogenics, Inc. (PTGN.PK) on Monday based on data from pre-clinical studies announced that the formulation of N-Chlorotaurine or NCT might be useful as a topical drug for the treatment Acanthamoeba keratitis or AK eye infection.

According to the Miami, Florida-based OPKO pre-clinical studies showed potential therapeutic use of NCT in the treatment of AK, a serious eye infection that can result in vision impairment or blindness. AK most commonly infects contact lens wearers and is caused by a microscopic amoeba parasite that is present in water, soil and air. Current treatments for ocular AK are potentially toxic and difficult-to-handle.

The study was published in the current edition of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

OPKO has in-licensed exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights to a proprietary formulation of NCT for ocular uses from Pathogenics, Inc.

OPKO is currently developing NCT for the treatment of viral conjunctivitis, while Pathogenics is assessing NCT in Phase II studies for topical and body cavity infections.

NCT has been shown to have promising anti-microbial activity against bacteria, yeasts and molds, as well as antiviral activity against a number of viruses. To date, NCT has been shown to be safe and well tolerated in multiple applications, including sinus and ear infections, as well as in viral conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Its natural sterility and absence of preservatives make NCT especially well suited for ocular applications, OPKO added.

OPK is trading at $2.65, up $0.03 or 1.14% on a volume of 44K shares.

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