Robert Wang, MD, Texas Retina’s Director of Clinical Research for Plano, recently spoke about the CLARITY clinical trial at a meeting of retina specialists held in Miami, Florida. A global, multi-center Phase III study, CLARITY is investigating oral brepocitinib in adults with active, non-infectious intermediate-, posterior-, and panuveitis. Dr. Wang serves as a Principal Investigator and has already enrolled several patients in the trial.
Challenges in Treating Uveitis
In uveitis, the body’s immune system attacks the middle layer of the eye called the uvea. The disease can be acute and last for only a short time, or chronic, requiring ongoing monitoring and treatment. Left untreated, uveitis can lead to permanent vision loss, retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.
“Uveitis is a rare disease that can be difficult to manage,” explains Dr. Wang. “Patients who have inflammation involving the posterior segment can be some of the most challenging to treat. We only have a handful of FDA-approved medicines at our disposal, including oral prednisone and Humira. At Texas Retina, we were involved in the clinical trial to get Humira approved, and we continue to research the safety and efficacy of potential new uveitis treatment options.”
About the CLARITY Trial
Brepocitinib is a potential first-in-class dual selective inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), an intracellular enzyme that is involved in regulating triggers of inflammation, and Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), a protein kinase that plays a role in signaling cytokines and growth factors involved in immune function. The CLARITY trial is comparing brepocitinib 45 mg to placebo in patients with non-anterior non-infectious uveitis.
The CLARITY study is closely modeled after the Phase II NEPTUNE study, which also evaluated brepocitinib in non-anterior non-infectious uveitis, and a dose-dependent treatment benefit was observed on multiple endpoints of clinical significance. Texas Retina participated in the NEPTUNE study with Dr. Wang serving as a Principal Investigator.
“The treatment options we currently have available for non-infectious uveitis carry side effects that can be complex to manage and don’t always meet patients’ needs,” shares Dr. Wang. “At Texas Retina, we remain committed to conducting research that has the potential to improve care for our patients, and we’re excited to be participating in this critical new clinical trial.”
For more information about participation in the CLARITY study at Texas Retina’s Plano office, click here to contact study coordinator Tara Keesling. Physicians can click here to directly refer a patient for this trial.
To learn more about all the clinical trials currently available at Texas Retina, click here.