The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance for immunoglobulin (IG) eye drops, allowing clinical trials to proceed for this novel treatment for dry eye disease (DED). The announcement was made on May 21, 2025, by Selagine, Inc., a spin-out company from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
The IG eye drops, identified as SLG-100 or GRF312 Ophthalmic Solution, represent a new approach to treating DED. Unlike existing therapies that typically target specific inflammatory pathways, this biologic drug is derived from pooled human plasma from thousands of healthy donors and offers broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
"The IND clearance opens the door to clinical trials for establishing the safety and efficacy of IG eye drops and brings us one step closer to meaningfully improving outcomes for people suffering from dry eyes," said Sandeep Jain, MD, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UIC and founder and president of Selagine Inc.
Understanding the Therapeutic Approach
Dry eye disease affects more than 100 million people globally and represents the third largest indication in the ophthalmology market, with projections suggesting the global market could exceed $6.5 billion by 2027. The condition occurs when eyes don't produce enough tears or when tears don't function properly, causing discomfort and potential vision problems.
What makes the IG eye drops particularly promising is their mechanism of action. In chronic DED, multiple inflammatory mechanisms operate simultaneously on the ocular surface, including inflammatory proteins (cytokines or chemokines), cells (neutrophils, T-cells, and dendritic cells), complement system components, and pathogenic antibodies.
Most currently approved treatments for DED are narrow-spectrum, primarily targeting T-cell inflammation. In contrast, IG eye drops act on multiple inflammatory pathways simultaneously, potentially offering superior efficacy for patients who don't respond adequately to existing therapies.
Clinical Evidence and Development Timeline
A first-in-human pilot clinical trial conducted at the University of Illinois College of Medicine has already shown promising results. Participants treated with eye drops based on Grifols Flebogamma DIF twice daily for 8 weeks experienced significant reduction in DED symptoms compared to vehicle, with no significant difference in tolerability or adverse events.
The development of this treatment represents over a decade of research efforts, supported by grants from the National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health (NEI R24EY032440), Research to Prevent Blindness, and UIC's Office of Technology Management.
In March 2023, Selagine entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with Grifols, a global leader in plasma-derived medicines. Under this agreement, Grifols is funding the entire development program through FDA approval, with the companies expecting the IG drops to reach retail pharmacies by early 2029.
"We believe our immunoglobulin eye drops have the potential to make a qualitative leap in how dry eye disease is treated," said Jörg Schüttrumpf, Chief Scientific Innovation Officer at Grifols. "Research suggests that the broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of an ocular surface IG are superior to currently approved therapies. We are using our extensive and deep knowledge of immunoglobulins to benefit the millions of patients globally who aren't receiving sufficient relief."
Expanding Applications
The partnership between Selagine and Grifols has since expanded beyond DED to include the treatment of chemical traumatic injuries with IG eye drops, suggesting broader potential applications for this technology.
"Selagine's success at moving the IG product forward with strong industrial and government partnerships is a testament to UIC's commitment to conducting translational research with multiple applications to benefit patients and providers," said Suseelan Pookote, PhD, Senior Director of UIC's Office of Technology Management. "With this IND clearance, Selagine's IG product adds to UIC's strong clinical pipeline with eight products in Phase II clinical trials advancing towards the market."
Patient Impact
For patients with DED, particularly those with autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and ocular graft-versus-host disease who often experience more severe forms of dry eye, this development represents a potential breakthrough in treatment options.
As many as one-third of patients visiting ophthalmology clinics report dry eye symptoms, making it one of the most common conditions seen by ophthalmology specialists. The broad-spectrum approach of IG eye drops could address an important unmet need in this large patient population, particularly for those who don't respond adequately to current therapies.
With the IND clearance secured, Selagine and Grifols can now proceed with Phase II clinical trials to further establish the safety and efficacy of this promising treatment for dry eye disease.
