ONSET-1 Phase 2b Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of OC-01 (Varenicline Solution) Nasal Spray on Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of OC-01 (varenicline solution), a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist nasal spray, on signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.

Methods: A phase 2b, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled trial (ONSET-1; NCT03636061) was performed. Patients were aged 22 years or older with a physician's diagnosis of dry eye disease and previous use of artificial tears were randomized 1:1:1:1 to control (vehicle nasal spray twice daily [BID]), OC-01 0.006 mg BID, OC-01 0.03 mg BID, and OC-01 0.06 mg BID. The primary end point was the change in the anesthetized Schirmer test score from baseline to day 28 in the study eye. The secondary end points included the change in the eye dryness score from baseline to day 28.

Results: One hundred eighty-two patients were randomized. After 28 days, patients who received OC-01 0.03 or 0.06 mg showed a statistically significant improvement in tear film production relative to vehicle, with least squares mean differences from vehicle of 7.7 mm [95% confidence interval, 3.8-11.7; P < 0.001] with OC-01 0.03 mg and 7.5 mm (95% confidence interval, 3.4-11.6; P < 0.001) with OC-01 0.06 mg. Patients receiving OC-01 0.03 mg showed a significant reduction in the eye dryness score by day 28 versus vehicle (P = 0.021); those receiving the OC-01 0.06 mg dose showed a nonsignificant reduction versus vehicle. OC-01 administration was associated with sneezing (62%-84%) and cough (9%-25%); these were transient and predominantly mild in severity.

Conclusions: OC-01 nasal spray administered BID at 0.03 and 0.06 mg resulted in significant improvements in signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, was well tolerated, and warrants further clinical investigation.

FIGURE 1.

CONSORT flow diagram. AE, adverse event; OSDI, Ocular Surface Disease Index; PI, principal investigator.

FIGURE 2.

A, LS mean change from baseline to day 28 in STS. B, The LS mean change from baseline to day 28 in STS with missing data imputed using last available data. C, The percentage of patients with at least a 10-mm change in STS at day 28 versus baseline (intent-to-treat population) with missing data imputed using last available data. All comparisons made with the control group. No formal statistical comparisons were performed for the 0.006 mg dose versus vehicle; P values for this dose were assessed post hoc and represent nominal values. Error bars indicate CIs. The results in A are derived from a prespecified analysis and B and C are from a post hoc analysis.

FIGURE 3.

A, Mean reduction in EDS from baseline to day 28. B, The LS mean reduction from baseline to day 28 with missing data imputed using last available data. C, The LS mean reduction in the controlled adverse environment at day 21. All comparisons made with the control group. No formal statistical comparisons were performed for the 0.006 mg dose versus vehicle; P values for this dose were assessed post hoc and represent nominal values. Error bars indicate CIs. The results in A are derived from a prespecified analysis and B and C are from post hoc analyses.