A Phase 2 clinical trial of its bepotastine besilate nasal spray for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis has demonstrated significantly significant improvement in total nasal symptoms compared to placebo, announced ISTA Pharmaceuticals. The study involved approximately 600 patients suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms caused by mountain cedar pollen.
According to ISTA, “Bepotastine besilate is a non-sedating, highly selective antagonist of the histamine H1 receptor. It has a stabilizing effect on mast cells, and it suppresses the migration of eosinophils into inflamed tissues. The compound’s primary mechanisms of action suggest that it is a potentially effective treatment for nasal symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis.” The company already markets a bepotastine besilate opthalmic solution for the treatment of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
ISTA VP of Clinical Research and Medical Affairs Timothy R. McNamara says that the company now plans to discuss a Phase 2 study of a combination bepotastine besilate/steroid nasal spray and would like to initiate such a study by the end of 2011.
Read the ISTA Press release.
