New eye drops aim to heal damaged corneas
NCT ID NCT07568730
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This Phase 2 trial tests Lacripep eye drops in 54 people with neurotrophic keratitis, a condition where the cornea loses feeling and can get damaged. The study compares the drops to a placebo to see if they safely improve eye surface health, vision, and quality of life over 8 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Lacripep eye drops
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment for neurotrophic keratitis, a rare eye disease that can lead to vision loss.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 2 trial with only 54 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The eye drops may not improve symptoms or could cause side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
About 54 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Feb 2026
- Expected to finish
-
Mar 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Subjects who meet all the following inclusion criteria at Visit 1 (Screening) will be eligible to participate in the study. 1. Are ≥18 years of age. 2. Provide informed consent before any study-related procedures are performed. 3. Are willing and able to comply with study procedures and the study schedule. 4. Female subjects must either be incapable of pregnancy or must use an effective method of birth control for the duration of the study. Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test and not be nursing. 5. Have all of the following in at least one eye: 1. Stage 1 NK as defined by: * Grade 3 cCFS using the National Eye Institute (NEI) scale (0-3 in one-point increments). * Corneal sensitivity ≤4 cm in the central zone, as measured by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. 2. BCDVA +0.2 to +1.0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (Snellen equivalent 20/32 to 20/200). 3. IOP ≤21 mmHg. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects who meet any of the following exclusion criteria at Visit 1 (Screening) will not be eligible to participate in the study. Ocular criteria apply to each eye independently, unless otherwise noted. 1. Have received prior treatment with Lacripep Ophthalmic Solution or Oxervate® (cenegermin-bkbj) Ophthalmic Solution within 6 months prior to Visit 1 (Screening) and failed to demonstrate a clinically meaningful response, as determined by the Investigator. 2. Have participated in a NK study within 90 days prior to Visit 1 (Screening). 3. Have participated in any other clinical study or used an investigational agent within 30 days prior to Screening or plans to participate in another clinical study at any time during the conduct of this study. 4. Have a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) score \>9% within 90 days prior to Visit 1 (Screening). 5. Have a history of or current conditions that may confound the study data; such conditions include but are not limited to ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, graft versus host disease, neuromyelitis optica, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and Salzmann's nodular degeneration. 6. Have an unstable history of severe systemic allergy or severe ocular allergy (including seasonal conjunctivitis expected during the study period) or chronic conjunctivitis and/or keratitis other than dry eye disease. 7. Have been diagnosed with glaucoma or are a glaucoma suspect who requires or may require treatment during the study. 8. Have, in the opinion of the Investigator, evidence of an active ocular infection (bacterial, viral, protozoal) in either eye. 9. Have any intraocular inflammation (Tyndall score \>0). 10. Have, in the opinion of the Investigator, severe vision loss due to retinal disease, with no potential for visual improvement. 11. Have an eyelid abnormality that may alter eyelid function; such abnormalities include but are not limited to blepharospasm, cerebrovascular accident, entropion, ectropion, and floppy lid syndrome. 12. Have punctal occlusion or punctal plugs that will not be maintained during the study period. 13. Have had any corneal surface procedure within 90 days prior to Visit 1 (Screening). This includes laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), phototherapeutic or photorefractive keratectomy (PTK or PRK), radial keratotomy (RK), small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), penetrating keratoplasty (PK), automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK), superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) surgery, and placement of any amniotic membrane. 14. Have, in the opinion of the Investigator, NK that was induced by a neurosurgical procedure. 15. Have undergone any other ocular surgery (including peripheral iridotomy (PI), laser iridotomy (LI) eyelid surgery and any surgical refractive procedures) within 90 days prior to Visit 1 (Screening) or expect to undergo ocular surgery during the study period. 16. Have, in the opinion of the Investigator, history of viral corneal disease that resulted in significant corneal scarring. 17. Have viral corneal disease without scarring that is considered unstable prior to Visit 1 (Screening), defined as discontinuation of topical ocular antiviral therapy or topical ocular steroid therapy within 2 weeks prior to Screening, or evidence of viral reactivation during the run-in period. 18. Have received Botox (botulinum toxin) ocular injections to induce pharmacologic blepharoptosis within 45 days prior to Visit 1 (Screening). 19. Have used any non-study issued eye drops or neurostimulators within 14 days prior to Visit 2 (Day 1; Baseline/Randomization). 20. Anticipate a need to use therapeutic contact lenses or unwilling to discontinue wearing contact lenses for refractive correction during the study period. 21. Have, in the opinion of the Investigator, an unstable medical condition that may confound the study data; such conditions include but are not limited to diabetes, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. 22. Evidence of current drug or alcohol abuse or addiction, in the opinion of the Investigator. 23. Are pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy during the study period. 24. Are an employee of a site directly involved in the management, administration, or support of the study or an immediate family member of the same.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Neurotrophic keratitis are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
-
The places running it
3 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
-
Midwest Cornea Associates
RECRUITINGCarmel, Indiana, 46032, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
-
Minnesota Eye Consultants
RECRUITINGMinneapolis, Minnesota, 55431, United States
-
Ophthalmology Associates
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63131, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- New eye drops show promise for healing corneal damage
- New eye drop shows promise for rare corneal disease
- New eye drops aim to heal corneal damage and restore sensation
- Gene therapy eye drops aim to heal corneas in rare nerve disorder
- Could a simple ingredient boost dry eye drops?
- New eye test could unlock secrets of ocular pain