(Reuters) -Viatris said on Friday that its experimental eye ointment failed to clear buildup or debris in the eyes in a late-stage study in patients with an inflammatory eye condition.
Shares of the company fell 3.3% to $8.96 in premarket trading.
The company reported that its ophthalmic ointment, pimecrolimus 0.3%, did not meet the main goal of achieving complete removal of eye debris after six weeks of twice-daily dosing.
Viatris tested pimecrolimus 0.3% in a total of 477 patients with blepharitis, who self-administered either the ointment or a placebo to the eyelids twice daily over 12 weeks.
Blepharitis causes swollen, irritated, and itchy eyelids, and can result in dandruff-like flakes at the base of the eyelashes.
Common treatments for the condition include antibiotic ointments and eye drops.
Viatris said it is evaluating next steps for the late-stage program, which could include revising plans for an additional late-stage trial.
(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
