Cenegermin for the treatment of neurotrophic keratitis

The trigeminal nerve provides corneal sensitivity and trophic supply to corneal tissues. The impairment of corneal innervation leads to development of neurotrophic keratitis (NK). NK is a rare, degenerative corneal disease characterized by corneal hypo/anesthesia and development of nonhealing corneal epithelial defects and ulcers. NK is a challenging condition with high medical need due to the lack of approved treatments that can restore corneal integrity. Current treatment of NK aims at stimulating corneal healing and preventing disease progression. Cenegermin is a recombinant human nerve growth factor that was safe and well tolerated in preclinical and clinical studies. Cenegermin eye drops were safe and effective in restoring corneal integrity in two phase II clinical trials in patients with NK. The European Commission granted a full marketing authorization to cenegermin eye drops for the treatment of moderate to severe NK in July 2017.