OmniActive launches dry eye supplement as part of new active compound platform

08 Jul 2021 --- OmniActive Health Technologies is launching a platform through which multiple active compounds can be delivered in concentrated smaller doses. Branded Integrated Actives, the platform is showcased by the company’s latest product release, Nutritears – a patent-pending dry eye formulation. 

Nutritears is a blend of lutein, zeaxanthin isomers, curcuminoids and vitamin D3. It is designed to improve eye hydration and moisture, lessen tear loss and help improve healthy tear production, says the company. 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, around 4.8 million US adults over 50 are affected by dry eye syndrome (DES). 

“There is a clear need in the market and Nutritears creates new opportunities for our customers by delivering an innovative, clinically demonstrated solution,” says Isabel Lucas, product launch director at OmniActive. 

An estimated 4.8 million US adults suffer from DES, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hold back the tears 
A recent investigation into Nutritears found that it can reduce inflammation and improve the quality of human tears, also helping soothe issues associated with occasional dry eyes in as little as two weeks. 

Researchers recruited 60 subjects suffering from mild to moderate DES and were given doses of either Nutritears or a placebo for 56 days. 

The results show that Nutritears supplementation significantly improved the production, stability and quality of tears by reducing ocular surface damage and tear inflammation. The study authors say the supplement could also be used as an adjuvant to artificial tears in subjects with DES.

“Considering the multifactorial nature of occasional dry eyes, a multi-modal nutritional approach is relevant,” says Dr. Deshanie Rai, vice president of global scientific and regulatory affairs at OmniActive.

“Using our Integrated Actives platform, we selected three bioactives based on how they work from a mechanism of action perspective to address the multifactorial nature of occasional dry eyes in the convenience of one softgel.”

Adding adjuvants 
OmniActive says the Integrated Actives platform will cater to the broad range of consumers looking to supplementation in place of DES medication. 

“Our proprietary consumer insights showed that more than 70 percent of those surveyed perceive supplements to be more effective or just as effective compared to their current therapy (such as eye drops) for managing multiple aspects of occasional dry eye,” says Lucas.

Omniactive developments 
This year, private equity firm TA Associates acquired a significant stake in OmniActive, for which the financial terms were not disclosed. 

In May, the company unveiled pharmacokinetic data that supports increased bioavailability and mood-enhancing properties of its energy ingredient Xtenergy compared to immediate-release caffeine. 

OmniActive also spoke with NutritionInsight about how xanthophyll carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, capsanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, are especially recognized for their ability to provide powerful ocular nutrition. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has notably increased visual health concerns as more time is being spent in front of screens throughout the past months.

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton