Mapracorat is an anti-inflammatory drug belonging to the experimental class of selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist

Selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist

A selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist , sometimes called a dissociated glucocorticoid receptor agonist , is a type of experimental drug that is designed to share many of the desirable anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of classical glucocorticoid drugs but with fewer side...

s (SEGRAs). It is in clinical trial

Clinical trial

Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...

s for the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronically relapsing, non-contagious and pruritic skin disorder...

, inflammation following cataract surgery

Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is the removal of the natural lens of the eye that has developed an opacification, which is referred to as a cataract. Metabolic changes of the crystalline lens fibers over time lead to the development of the cataract and loss of transparency, causing impairment or loss of vision...

, and allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva due to allergy. Although allergens differ between patients, the most common cause is hay fever. Symptoms consist of redness , oedema of the conjunctiva, itching and increased lacrimation...

. Preliminary investigation for the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca , also called keratitis sicca, xerophthalmia or dry eye syndrome is an eye disease caused by eye dryness, which, in turn, is caused by either decreased tear production or increased tear film evaporation. It is found in humans and some animals...

 has been conducted in cellular models.

Clinical trials

Phase II clinical trials with mapracorat started in summer 2009. One trial was a double blind dose finding study for an ointment against atopic dermatitis. It tested concentrations of 0.01%, 0.03% and 0.1% versus placebo

Placebo

A placebo is a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient...

 over four weeks in around 64 patients. This trial was conducted by Intendis, a part of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals specialized on dermatology

Dermatology

Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....

, and completed in September or October 2010. The other trial, also with a double blind design, evaluated an ophthalmic

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...

 suspension

Suspension

Suspension may refer to:In science and engineering:*Suspension , in mathematics*Suspension , in mathematics*Suspension , mixture of two chemicals with the property that one does not rapidly settle out...

 for the treatment of inflammation following cataract surgery. Various concentrations and dosing schemes were tested versus placebo in about 550 patients. The study was conducted by Bausch & Lomb

Bausch & Lomb

Bausch & Lomb, an American company based in Rochester, New York, is one of the world's leading suppliers of eye health products, such as contact lenses and lens care products today. In addition to this main activity, in recent years the area of medical technology has been developed...

and completed in September 2010. Its successor study, a phase III trial, started in November 2010 and is scheduled to run until February 2012.

no study results are available.