The growing incidence of viral conjunctivitis cases is
driving the growth of the viral conjunctivitis drugs market. According to
National Center for Biotechnology: 2017, adenovirus is the most common cause of
viral conjunctivitis and up to 70% of cases of acute conjunctivitis are viral.
The number of individuals affected by viral conjunctivitis is estimated to be
as high as 15 to 20 million per year in the U.S. Additionally, a rising number
of research and development activities for enhancing the effectiveness of viral
conjunctivitis drugs is again projected to accelerate the growth of the market.
For instance, in 2019, iVIEW Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage ophthalmology
drug development company, announced the dosing of the first patient in Phase II
clinical trial. iVIEW Therapeutics Inc. is testing the safety and efficacy of
the IVIEW-1201 in patients (age ≥15 years) for the treatment of acute
adenoviral conjunctivitis.
In 2018, Starpharma
Holdings Limited, a company headquartered in Australia, received a patent for
SPL7013 ophthalmic drops for viral conjunctivitis from the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. The patent has been granted to the company due to its broad
claims for treating and preventing microbial infections of the eye, including
adenoviral conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, and other eye infections
In April 2020, Ocular
Therapeutix™, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation for
diseases and conditions of the eye, announced topline results from its Phase 3
clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DEXTENZA® for the
treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis (AC).
North America is expected to hold a dominant position in the
global viral conjunctivitis
drugs market due to growing product approval in the region. For instance,
on February 23, 2021, Bausch + Lomb launched Alaway Preservative Free
(ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.035%) antihistamine eye drops. It is
indicated to relieve eye itchiness caused due to conjunctivitis. Moreover, it
is the first over-the-counter (OTC) preservative-free antihistamine eye itch
relief drop approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Viral conjunctivitis can result from a viral infection with
one or more known fungal pathogens. Commonly, the infections are caused by
Staphylococcus aureus, which is found commonly in the eyes; the nose, throat,
and sinuses. A group of related species also cause systemic infection of the
skin, lungs, and blood vessels. These species include E. coli, which is
responsible for food poisoning, and the common respiratory tract infection flu.
Other yeasts also produce conjunctivitis, including Candida albicans, which
causes infections of the bladder and other mucous membranes. Apart from
antiviral agents, the global conjunctivitis market is also flooded with topical
agents such as steroids, salicylic acid, and azelaic acid.