Therapeutic agent for keratoconjunctival disorder

• US 7,358,255 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Santen Pharmaceutical Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Santen Pharmaceutical Company Limited
• Inventors: Nakamura, Masatsugu, Hirai, Shin-ichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartley; Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMALA, JAGADISHWAR RAO
• Application Number:
  US10/576,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 514/259, 514/267
• US Class Current: 514/514
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/427 not condensed and containing further heterocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/00 Drugs for disorders of the senses
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/04 Artificial tears; Irrigation solutions
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 417/12 linked by a chain containing hetero atoms as chain links

Abstract

Object of the present invention is to search a novel pharmaceutical use of 5-[4-(6-methoxy-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-ylmethoxy)benzyl]thiazolidine-2,4-dione being a condensed heterocyclic compound, or a salt thereof. 5-[4-(6-methoxy-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-ylmethoxy)benzyl]thiazolidine-2,4-dione or a salt thereof can exert an excellent effect to promote healing in a dry eye model, and is useful as a therapeutic agent for keratoconjunctival disorders such as dry eyes, corneal ulcer, keratitis, conjunctivitis, superficial punctate keratopathy, corneal epithelial defects, conjunctival epithelial defects, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis and filamentary keratitis.

Claims

1. A method for treating a keratoconjunctival disorder which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of 5-[4-(6-methoxy-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-ylmethoxy)benzyl]thiazolidine-2,4-dione or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in need thereof.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said keratoconjunctival disorder is dry eyes, corneal ulcer, keratitis, conjunctivitis, superficial punctate keratopathy, corneal epithelial defects, conjunctival epithelial defects, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis or filamentary keratitis.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the administration is instillation of an eye drop.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the administration is instillation of an eye drop.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the administration is the application of an ophthalmic ointment.

6. The method according to claim 2 wherein the administration is the application of an ophthalmic ointment.