What is "optimmune"

Optimmune is an ophthalmic ointment with ciclosporin as the active ingredient for the treatment of pannus and chronic idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs. It is a veterinary product produced by Intervet, which is part of Merck. Optimmune was invented by Dr. Renee Kaswan, a DVM and professor at The University of Georgia. Dr. Kaswan is also the inventor of Restasis, the pharmaceutical that is the human version of Optimmune.

Optimmune is one of a very few drugs developed for animals and then modified for use in human medicine.