Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced positive results for its exploratory Phase 2 head-to-head study evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of voclosporin ophthalmic solution (VOS 0.2%) versus Restasis®(cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05%) for the treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES). Both drugs were shown to be well-tolerated and there was no statistical difference between VOS and Restasis® for the primary endpoint as both drugs exhibited low drop discomfort scores. On the key pre-specified secondary endpoints of Schirmer Tear Test/STT (an objective measure of tear production), and Fluorescein Corneal Staining/FCS (an objective measure of structural damage to the cornea), which are FDA-accepted efficacy endpoints, VOS showed rapid and statistically significant improvements over Restasis® at Week 4 (STT: p=.0051; FCS: p=.0003). This 100-patient, double-masked, head-to-head study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of VOS versus Restasis® in subjects with DES. Both arms of the study received either VOS or Restasis® (1:1) administered twice daily, in both eyes, for 28 days. Key pre-specified secondary endpoints, which are FDA-accepted endpoints, include STT, FCS, and assessments of dry eye symptoms.