Green light from NICE for Santen's Ikervis

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the medicines watchdog for England and Wales, has today published final draft guidance recommending Ikervis (ciclosporin), from Japanese drugmaker Santen Pharmaceuticals (TYO: 4536), for treating severe keratitis in adults with dry eye disease which has not improved despite treatment with artificial tears.

Dry eye disease is chronic inflammation of the eyes caused by reduced tear production or excessive tear evaporation. Symptoms include irritation and redness in the eyes, blurred vision, and a sensation of grittiness or a foreign body in the eye. If left untreated, it can result in blindness in severe cases. Ciclosporin helps patients increase their eyes' natural ability to produce tears. It also reduces inflammation in the eye.

Decision follows provision of additional information