Santen Launches Verkazia^® (Ciclosporin Eye Drops (III) ) in China For the Treatment of Severe Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Children and Young Adults

December 23, 2025 – Osaka, Japan – Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Santen) today announced the launch in China of Verkazia^® (Ciclosporin Eye Drops (III); hereinafter the product), for the treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children and young adults. Through this launch, Santen seeks to provide a new treatment option for patients aged four years and older with severe VKC and help them improve their academic and daily life as well as overall Quality of Life (QOL).

The product is a preservative-free eye drop that exerts anti-inflammatory effects by selectively inhibiting cytokines produced by T-lymphocytes.^1-2 Both global and Chinese guidelines and consensus statements recommend immunosuppressive eye drops as a treatment for severe VKC.^3-6 Clinical data have shown that the product effectively controls disease progression, improves corneal epithelial damage, reduces steroid dependence, and alleviates subjective symptoms, making it an effective treatment option for patients with severe VKC.⁷

Rie Nakajima, Director of the Board, Chief Operating Officer of Santen, said: “With the launch of Verkazia^®, we expect to alleviate visual impairment caused by severe VKC in children, and also other physical and psychological impacts. Eye health is not only a medical topic but also a crucial concern closely related to human wellbeing, and both economic and social development. As a global company dedicated to ophthalmology, Santen is committed to investing its global resources to address the most challenging, urgent, and impactful clinical issues, and will continue to focus on improving eye health for more people in pursuit of realizing ‘Happiness with Vision’.”

The product is currently marketed in 11 countries and regions, including France and the United Kingdom.

About Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC)
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe allergic ocular surface disease that commonly develops during childhood. It primarily affects the conjunctiva and cornea and is characterized by intense itching, photophobia, and tearing. More than 80% of cases occur in children under the age of ten.⁸ Over 70% of school-aged children with VKC experience significant restrictions in their academic and daily life, resulting in a marked decline in QOL for both children and their parents, and imposing a substantial burden on society.^9-10

About Verkazia®
Verkazia^® is a cationic (positively charged) emulsion eye drop independently developed by Santen for the treatment of severe VKC in children and young adults. This formulation technology improves the bioavailability of the active ingredient, cyclosporine, and has been shown to be effective in the therapeutic management of severe VKC.¹¹ The product is considered to act by inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), which are responsible for chronic allergic inflammation observed on the ocular surface of patients with severe VKC.^12-13 Being preservative-free and exhibiting low corneal toxicity, Verkazia^® helps protect the ocular surface health of children with corneal damage.¹³

References

1. Chinese Cornea Society, Ophthalmology Branch of Chinese Medical Association. Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology. 2018;54(6): 409-414.
2. Kumar S. Acta ophthalmologica. 2009;87(2): 133-147.
3. Khaliddin, et al. Frontiers in Medicine. 2022.
4. Varu D M, et al. Ophthalmology. 2018;126(1):P94.
5. Chinese Cornea Society, Ophthalmology Branch of Chinese Medical Association. Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology.  2018;54(6): 6.
6. MD Leonard Bielory, et al. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2020;124(2):118-134.
7. Leonardi A, et al. Ophthalmology. 2019;126(5): 671-681.
8. Bremond-Gignac, D. et al. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2008;92, 1097-1102.
9. Li Suxia, Shi Weiyun. Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology. 2022;40(5): 481-486.
10. Zhang SY, et al. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021;139(8):830-837.
11. Daull P, et al. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2014;66(4):531-41.
12. Verkazia Prescribing Information. June 2021. https://www.verkazia.com/pdf/Verkazia-PI.pdf
13. Leonardi A. Ophthalmol. Ther. 2013;2(2): 73-88.

About Santen
Santen is a global pharmaceutical company committed to advancing eye health and improving lives through better vision. Founded in 1890 in Osaka, Japan, Santen makes use of more than 135 years of experience in research and development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices to help people around the globe maintain and improve their eye health. Santen focuses exclusively on eye health and its portfolio includes glaucoma, dry eye, infection, allergy, age-related macular degeneration, and myopia. Santen’s products and services are available in more than 60 countries and regions. Guided by its Core Principle “Tenki ni sanyo suru” – Exploring the secrets and mechanisms of nature in order to contribute to people’s health – Santen combines its expertise with deep patient focus to contribute to the realization of “Happiness with Vision.”
For more information, please visit https://www.santen.com/en.

Contact
Corporate Communications
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
E-mail: communication@santen.com