Japan is to play host to a new phase II clinical trial of a medicine designed to treat patients with glaucoma.

Drug maker NicOx SA revealed that Pfizer has initiated a second study of PF-03187207, a drug the two firms created in collaboration, to examine its safety and efficacy.

The performance of PF-03187207, which it is hoped will help lower the intraocular pressure that can contribute to the condition, will be compared to that of Pfizer drug Xalatan, a medicine commonly given to glaucoma patients.

Around 120 participants with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension will be enrolled in the study and receive differing dosing regimes of either PF-03187207 or Xalatan.

Glaucoma is an incurable eye disease which can cause patients to lose their sight if it is left untreated, although medication can help slow or even halt any further deterioration.

Global healthcare solutions provider Masters can source medicines still being examined in clinical trials on the behalf of medical professionals from across the world who have patients who have a unique unmet need.