SEATTLE, WA -- November 5, 2000 -- Nedocromil sodium 2% used twice daily is effective and safe for the treatment of symptoms in patients with allergic conjunctivitis, researchers report.

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- November 3, 2000 -- The signs and symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca - a dry-eye condition - can be reversed with cyclosporin A, helping to reduce a common problem for patients with Sjogren’s syndrome, stated researchers at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The New Drug Application (NDA) was submitted to the FDA on March 1, 2000 by Santen Incorporated, Santen's Napa, California based subsidiary. The company anticipates the launch of Quixin in the U.S. ophthalmic market by late 2000.

Quixin is a sterile topical ophthalmic solution containing 0.5% levofloxacin, a potent, broad spectrum fluoroquinolone. Levofloxacin's higher solubility, at neutral pH, allows Quixin to be formulated at a higher concentration of active drug compared to other currently marketed ophthalmic fluoroquinolones (0.5% vs. 0.3%).

Bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye," is a prevalent condition characterized by redness of the eye, mucous discharge, tearing, irritation and sensitivity to light. Quixin has shown outstanding efficacy against a wide range of causative organisms, including the most common gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.