A Study Evaluating HBM9036 Efficacy and Safety on Moderate to Severe Dry Eye

Inhibitors for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been widely used in clinical practice. Such class of medications have been approved for rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and uveitis. HBM9036 (HL036) is a molecularly engineered TNFR1 fragment, and molecule fragmentation and engineering techniques are applied for enhanced tissue distribution, increased stability and potency. In multiple early stage studies including preclinical studies, HBM9036 (HL036) has demonstrated the safety and efficacy in the therapy for moderate and severe dry eye. As a phase 3 confirmational study, this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 0.25% HBM9036 (HL036) ophthalmic solution compared to placebo in Chinese subjects with moderate and severe dry eye.

Inclusion criteria

• At least 6 months history of any dry eye symptoms;
• Must use or feel the need to use any types of eye drops to treat dry eye disease symptoms within 6 months prior to Screening Visit;
• Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ logMAR+0.7 as assessed according to the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale in both eyes at Screening Visit;
• At least 1 eye dryness score ≥ 40mm measured by 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at Screening Visit;
• Schirmer's test score (anesthetized) ≥ 1mm and ≤ 10mm in the study eye at Screening Visit;
• Average tear film breakup time (TFBUT) ≤5 seconds in the study eye at Screening Visit;
• Total corneal fluorescein staining score ≥ 5.5 according to the Ora Calibra Corneal and Conjunctival Staining Scale at least in the study eye at Screening and Baseline Visits;
• Conjunctival redness score ≥1 according to the Ora Calibra Conjunctival Redness Scale at least in the study eye at Screening Visit.

Exclusion criteria

• At Screening Visit, Subjects observed by investigator with any clinically significant signs including active blepharitis and ocular allergies. Patients with meibomian gland dysfunction that need treatment;
• Currently active ocular infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal) or any ocular surface inflammation;
• Patients whose dry eye disease secondary to Sjogren's syndrome, Steven-Johnson Syndrome or chronic graft versus host disease, or patients suffered from serious autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, If their systemic disease are instable or drug application changed such as the type or dose of immunosuppressive biologics had been adjusted within 3 months or had drug withdrawal within 1 month or expected to have their drugs adjusted or discontinued during the study;
• Planning to undergo any ocular or eyelid surgery;
• Patients suffered from insertion of temporary lacrimal plug surgery within 6 months or insertion of permanent lacrimal plug surgery within 3 months. Or planning to undergo insertion of lacrimal plug surgery during the study;
• Use of Cyclosporine A, Tacrolimus or Xiidra within 60 days prior to Screening Visit;
• History of HBM9036 (HL036) use;
• Currently use of prescription (including but not limited to antiglaucoma drops) or OTC drugs that locally applied to eyes, artificial tears, ophthalmic gel and eye rinse that cannot be interrupted during the study (excluding medications allowed in this study); pharmacological wash-out periods are required for some drugs.