Santen launches the dry-eye treatment DIQUAS® LX Ophthalmic Solution 3% in Japan - Improved formulation to reduce administration frequency to three-times daily, thus easing patients' burden -

Santen launches the dry-eye treatment DIQUAS® LX Ophthalmic Solution 3% in Japan - Improved formulation to reduce administration frequency to three-times daily, thus easing patients’ burden - November 21, 2022, Osaka, Japan – Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Santen) announced that it has launched the dry eye treatment DIQUAS® LX Ophthalmic Solution 3% (diquafosol sodium) in Japan. DIQUAS® LX Ophthalmic Solution 3% is a formulation that requires the administration of one drop 3 times daily, an improvement over the current DIQUAS ® Ophthalmic Solution 3% (dosage: one drop 6 times daily), which has been available in Japan since 2010. One of the factors that causes patients to fail to adhere to administration requirements for eye drops in ophthalmic dry-eye treatment is the large number of times the eye drops must be used daily1. Offering DIQUAS® LX Ophthalmic Solution 3%, which requires lower administration frequency, as a treatment option has the potential to reduce the burden on patients, and this is expected to improve adherence rates and treatment efficacy1. The active ingredient, diquafosol sodium, is a P2Y2 receptor agonist that acts on conjunctival tissues to promote the secretion of tears containing water and secretory mucins. It also has the effect of promoting the expression of membrane-bound mucins on corneal epithelium. In addition to these effects, DIQUAS® LX Ophthalmic Solution 3% boosts the lipid content in tears . This ophthalmic solution is believed to quantitatively and qualitatively improve tear abnormalities and demonstrates efficacy in bringing the ocular surface condition closer to normal , and improve symptoms of dry eye and corneal epithelial damage. Dry eye refers to a condition in which tears, which are essential in protecting the ocular surface, become insufficient in volume or lose their qualitative balance, resulting in uneven supply. This may involve an injury to the surface of the eyes. The number of people suffering from dry eye has been increasing due to factors such as population aging as well as the increased use of air conditioners, computers, smartphones, and contact lenses. Dry eye patients suffer from not only the typical “dry eye” symptom but also conditions such as eye fatigue and blurred vision. Through this product improvement, Santen aims to enhance the level of convenience in treatments by reducing the burden on patients and improv ing medication compliance. As a specialized company dedicated to eye health, Santen is committed to reducing the loss of social and economic opportunities for people around the world due to eye conditions, thereby contributing to raising patients’ quality of life. ⋅ Overview of the DIQUAS® LX Ophthalmic Solution 3% Product name DIQUAS® LX Ophthalmic Solution 3% Generic name Diquafosol sodium Dosage form Clear/ pale-yellow water-based sterile ophthalmic solution Indication Dry eye Dosage 1 drop, three times daily Storage Room temperature Packaging 5 mL plastic container × 10, 5 mL plastic container × 50 NHI price 3%5 mL 1,060.00 yen Approval (Japan) June 20, 2022 NHI price listing November 16, 2022 Launch November 16, 2022 Product image： References 1. Uchino M, et al: J Clin Med 11: 367, 2022 About Santen As a specialized company dedicated to eye health, Santen carries out research, development, marketing, and sales of pharmaceuticals, over -the-counter products, and medical devices, and its products now reach patients in over 60 countries and regions. Toward realizing “WORLD VISION” (Happiness with Vision), the world Santen ultimately aspires to achieve, as a “Social Innovator”, Santen aims to reduce the social and economic opportunity loss of people around the world caused by eye diseases and defects by orchestrating and mobilizing key technologies and players around the world. With scientific knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over a 130-year history, Santen provides products and services to contribute to the well-being of patients, their loved ones and consequently to society. For more information, please visit Santen’s website (https://www.santen.com/en/). Contact Corporate Communications Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. E-mail: [email protected]

The release as fetched from its publisher. santen.com ↗