Sun Pharma on Tuesday launched its specialty ophthalmology therapy CEQUA in India for the treatment of patients having dry eye disease (DED).

DED is caused when the quantity or quality of tears fails to keep the surface of the eye properly lubricated, and associated with symptoms such as inflammation. Increased screen time and other lifestyle changes, is cited as one of the main reasons for DED.

CEQUA – cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.09%, is the first dry eye treatment available in India that is delivered using nanomicellar (NCELL) technology that provides better delivery over cyclosporine emulsion 0.05%

Sun Pharma launched the therapy in the US market in October 2019, following extensive clinical studies. The specialty therapy has been one of the major revenue contributors for Sun Pharma’s specialty drug business.

“Current treatment options for dry eye disease have limitations and hence a strong unmet need exists in this space,” said Kirti Ganorkar, CEO, India Business at Sun Pharma.

“We are excited to introduce CEQUA as a new treatment option for DED in India. This is an important milestone for Sun Pharma as we bring one of our key global specialty products to India,” Ganorkar said.

“Global clinical trials have shown that CEQUA provides faster results and is comfortable to most of the patients right from the start of treatment,” said Dr. Rohit Shetty, vice chairman of Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute,The prevalence of DED in India is higher than the global prevalence and a large regional study pegged India’s prevalence at 32%, of which 90% were affected with moderate/severe DED. It is projected that the prevalence of DED is likely to increase to 45% in India’s urban population by 2030.