Filociclovir eye drops for adenoviral conjunctivitis and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
Official title: Translational studies to advance Filociclovir to IND submission for the treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis and acute keratoconjunctivitis
Funded at Microbiotix, INC · NIH-11248388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing an antiviral eye drop, filociclovir, to treat adenovirus eye infections like conjunctivitis and the more severe epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Microbiotix, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $669,859 |
| NIH project number | 5R33EY036947-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with recent-onset adenoviral conjunctivitis or epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (symptoms such as red eye, tearing, and blurred vision) would be the likely candidates for future clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
People with non-adenoviral causes of eye redness or those with long-standing, already severe corneal scarring and irreversible vision loss are unlikely to benefit from this antiviral.
What this research studies
This work focuses on making an eye-drop form of filociclovir that could help people with adenoviral eye infections. Researchers will finalize the eye-drop formulation, run the required GLP toxicology safety studies, and confirm antiviral activity in rabbit models before filing for FDA approval to begin human trials. The team will keep talking with the FDA to make sure the studies meet IND requirements. Because filociclovir already completed Phase 1 testing for a different viral infection, these steps aim to address the eye-specific data needed to move into patient testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become the first approved antiviral eye drop to shorten adenoviral infections, reduce complications, and help prevent vision loss.
How similar studies have gone: Filociclovir completed a Phase 1 study for systemic CMV and has shown activity in animal models, but no antiviral is yet approved for adenoviral eye infections and human efficacy for this use is still unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Microbiotix, INC
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bowlin, Terry L. — Microbiotix, INC
- Study coordinator: Bowlin, Terry L.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.