OBG is based on hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring polymer that is important in many physiological processes, including wound healing, tissue homeostasis, and joint lubrication. OBG is a form of HA, whereby the HA is modified and then crosslinked. The crosslinking slows degradation of the HA and provides a matrix for incorporating therapeutic agents.
OBG is an eye drop and provides a thin coating to the surface of the eye, serving as a protectant to facilitate and accelerate corneal re-epithelization. It is intended for the management of corneal epithelial defects and for the re-epithelization of the ocular surface following surgery, injection, traumatic, and non-traumatic conditions.
Additionally, cross-linking allows the product’s viscosity to be modified to meet optimum ocular needs. The increased viscosity and non-covalent muco-adhesive interfacial forces improve residence time in the tear film, thus providing a coating that aids and promotes re-epithelization of the ocular surface via physical protection. The EyeGate Ocular Bandage provides significant mechanical improvement over non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid products and other hydrogels by forming a degradation-resistant coating. Pilot preclinical studies suggest that this chemical modification will prolong dwell time on the ocular surface, thus providing a smooth continuous clear barrier without blur, minimizing mechanical lid friction, and reducing repeat injury, which can mechanically protect the ocular surface and accelerate corneal re-epithelization (Burdick and Prestwich 2011).
The same product as OBG is presently available commercially as a veterinary device, manufactured by SentrX Animal Care and sold in the U.S. by Bayer Animal Health as Remend® Corneal Repair, indicated for use in the management of superficial corneal ulcers. The product has been used for over 7 years in dogs, cats and horses, with an excellent safety profile. The composition of the veterinary product is identical to that of the EyeGate Ocular Bandage Gel.