High Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease in China: 1 in 5 Individuals Affected

Dry eye, often described Dry eye, often described as an incurable “lifelong affliction” of modern times, is actually a common ophthalmic condition. According to the “Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Dry Eye in China (2023)”, the prevalence rate of dry eye in China is approximately 21% to 30%, affecting an estimated at least 300 million people. This means that roughly 2 to 3 out of every 10 individuals may suffer from dry eye disease.

The onset and exacerbation of dry eye are closely related to our living and working environments. Factors such as prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments, extended computer use or night driving, eye makeup, long-term contact lens wear, or the use of multiple eye drops can all contribute to tear film instability and tear deficiency. This leads to symptoms like dryness, burning sensation, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and blurred vision. With every blink, the eyelid can feel like sandpaper scraping across the ocular surface, which can be psychologically distressing for patients. Therefore, alleviating these symptoms is a primary goal of dry eye treatment.

Currently, there is no cure for dry eye disease. Clinical management primarily relies on artificial tears to relieve symptoms. However, natural tears are a complex mixture of over 2,000 different proteins, water, and lipids, including growth factors, antibodies, and various mucins. Currently available artificial tears can only mimic one or more components of the tear film. In essence, there is no true artificial substitute for natural tears.

A Groundbreaking “Tear-Inducing” Innovation: Onset of Action in 5 Minutes, Promoting Natural Tear Secretion

TYRVAYA™ (varenicline solution) Nasal Spray is the first and only nasal spray approved globally for the treatment of both the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. It features a unique mechanism of action. Administered intranasally, it activates nicotinic cholinergic receptors on the trigeminal parasympathetic nerve pathway in the nasal cavity, thereby stimulating the production of natural tears. In August 2021, CORXEL Pharmaceuticals entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Oyster Point Pharma to develop and commercialize this product in the Greater China region.

Clinical Research Highlights of Varenicline Nasal Spray:

- Unique Mechanism of Action: A neuroactivator administered intranasally that stimulates natural tear production

- Rapid Onset: Takes effect approximately 5 minutes after the first dose, rapidly improving dry eye symptoms while increasing tear secretion

- Symptom Relief: Rapidly alleviates dry eye symptoms while increasing tear production

- Convenient Administration: One spray into each nostril, twice daily (every 12 hours); does not interfere with makeup or contact lens wear

- Favorable Safety Profile: Preservative-free, avoids ocular surface irritation, well-tolerated

Varenicline Nasal Spray is the first and only nasal spray approved globally specifically for improving both the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Its unique mechanism stimulates natural tear production, providing a more convenient, rapid, and sustained relief of dry eye signs and symptoms. This therapeutic approach, which directly targets the tear production mechanism, not only simplifies the treatment process and enhances patient convenience but is also expected to deliver more significant and lasting efficacy compared to traditional therapies.

Currently, the New Drug Application for Varenicline Nasal Spray in China was accepted in July 2023, and the product has been introduced to hospitals in both the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone and the Greater Bay Area. Looking ahead, Varenicline Nasal Spray will be available in 17 hospitals across 6 cities in the Greater Bay Area, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Foshan, Zhongshan, and Dongguan.