What eye condition is Oxervate used to treat?

Oxervate (cenegermin-bkbj) ophthalmic solution is used to treat neurotrophic keratitis

It is the first drug approved in the U.S. to treat neurotrophic keratitis, which is a rare degenerative disease that affects the health of the cornea (the clear layer covering the colored part of the eye) and leads to a loss of corneal sensation. This loss of corneal sensation weakens corneal health and leads to damage of the cornea over time, including corneal thinning, ulceration, and perforation in severe cases. The prevalence of neurotrophic keratitis has been estimated to be less than five in 10,000 individuals.

What type of drug is Oxervate?
Oxervate is classified as a recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) that can lead to corneal healing for patients. In two, eight-week clinical trials with 151 patients, groups received the active drug (cenegermin) or placebo given six times daily in the affected eye(s). Across both studies, complete corneal healing was seen in 70% of patients treated with Oxervate compared to 28% of patients receiving placebo. Before approval of Oxervate, treatment options for neurotrophic keratitis were limited, and included only choices for symptom relief such as artificial tears and antibiotics, palliative surgical procedures, and botulinum toxin A-induced ptosis.

What are the common side effects with Oxervate?
Common side effects with Oxervate include: eye pain, ocular hyperemia (eye redness), eye inflammation and increased lacrimation (tearing).