Uveitis is an inflammatory, putative Th1-mediated
autoimmune disease that affects various parts of the eye and is a leading cause of visual loss. Currently available
therapies are burdened with toxicities and/or lack definitive evidence of efficacy.
Voclosporin, a rationally designed novel
calcineurin inhibitor, exhibits a favorable safety profile, a strong correlation between pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic response, and a wide therapeutic window. The
LUMINATE (Lux
Uveitis Multicenter Investigation of a New Approach to TrEatment) clinical development program was initiated in 2007 to assess the safety and efficacy of
voclosporin for the treatment, maintenance, and control of all forms of noninfectious
uveitis. If
LUMINATE is successful,
voclosporin will become the first Food and Drug Administration-approved
corticosteroid-sparing agent for this condition.