Hovione, a contract development and manufacturing organization, has announced the launch of its first clinical trial for its own proprietary pharmaceutical product. Hovione will soon initiate recruitment for its Phase I clinical trial of HY02, a proprietary minocycline sterile ointment to treat a subset of ocular surface inflammation, generally manifesting on the inner edge of the eyelids, leading to eye irritation and sometimes more severe symptoms such as blurring of the vision and/or irritation of the cornea.

This first in human study is a double-blinded, randomized trial, which will include three arms and enroll approximately 36 subjects over the next few months. Hovione expects topline results by the end of 2017.

Hovione’s minocycline sterile ointment is a proprietary formulation of crystalline minocycline base and oil-based excipients. Hovione has applied for and been granted issued patents for both the API and the drug product. This granted patent portfolio covers both the US and the European Unionwith other patent applications expected to be granted, With the current granted patents, Hovione has exclusivity through 2033.

Source: Hovione