Researchers at the University of Virginia who were looking at the potential of repurposing non-ophthalmic approved drugs for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that the antidepressant fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, blocks the inflammation that can lead to the blinding condition. An experimental drug called CY-09 has been found to block that inflammatory process by binding …
Santen to Introduce First Plant-Derived Eye Drop Bottle in EMEA to Help Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuel-Based Plastic
Santen unveiled plans to launch the first bio-based plastic eye drop bottle in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The plastic element of the bottles is made from a sugar cane-derived material called “I’m green Polyethylene.” This uses natural resources while maintaining the structural integrity of traditional plastic thus ensuring the medication is stable and reaches the patient in perfect condition, according to Santen. The bottles were introduced in Japan in June, 2021, followed by EMEA in early 2023. Santen’s efforts toward a …
Alcon Acquires Ivantis for $475 Million, Plus Potential Milestone Payments
Alcon has bolstered its glaucoma surgical device portfolio with the acquisition of Ivantis and its Hydrus Microstent. Alcon, a Switzerland-registered company with US headquarters in Texas, announced Nov. 8 that it would pay $475 million up front, plus potential milestone payments, for Ivantis, of Irvine, California. The transaction is expected to close in Q1-2022.
Sanofi to Invest up to $60 Million in Gyroscope Therapeutics
UK-based Gyroscope Therapeutics announced Nov. 8 that France’s Sanofi had committed to invest up to $60 million in equity in Gyroscope. Sanofi will invest $40 million initially, at a premium to Gyroscope’s prior Series C financing, and the remaining $20 million will be contingent on a future qualifying investment round and subject to certain closing conditions. Under the agreement, a …
EyeGate Pharmaceuticals Closes Acquisition of Bayon Therapeutics
EyeGate Pharmaceuticals announced that it has completed the planned acquisition of Bayon Therapeutics and has appointed Eric J. Daniels, MD, MBA, as its Chief Development Officer, effective as of October 21, 2021. Dr. Daniels will drive ongoing development of EyeGate’s pipeline of novel treatments for eye disease. This includes overseeing the development of a potential vision-restoring small molecule from Bayon, B-203, which …
Eyenovia Announces Reclassification of MydCombi as Drug-Device Combination Product by FDA
In a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA, Eyenovia announced that MydCombi, the company’s proprietary, first-in-class combination microdose formulation of tropicamide and phenylephrine for in-office pupil dilation, has been reclassified as a drug-device combination product. Eyenovia will provide additional information to the FDA, as requested in the CRL, as soon as possible, including information necessary to meet additional requirements under Genus Medical …
US FDA Clears IND for 4DMT’s Wet AMD Gene Therapy Candidate
4D Molecular Therapeutics announced Oct. 6 that the US FDA had cleared the investigational new drug application (IND) for 4D-150 for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). 4D-150 is a dual-transgene intravitreal gene therapy that targets four distinct angiogenic factors, which 4DMT says has the potential for broad and durable efficacy after a single intravitreal administration in patients with wet …
Oertli Instrumente Acquires Majority Interest in Ophthalmic Instrument Maker Domedics AG
Oertli Instrumente announced it has acquired the majority of shares of Dattwil, Switzerland-based Domedics AG. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.https://eyewire.news/news/oertli-instrumente-acquires-majority-interest-in-ophthalmic-instrument-maker-domedics-ag
Adverum Presents Data Showing Gene Therapy Maintained Efficacy, Durability, Safety in Wet AMD Patients
Adverum Biotechnologies announced new long-term data from the OPTIC clinical trial of ADVM-022 single, in-office intravitreal (IVT) injection gene therapy in patients requiring frequent anti-VEGF injections for their wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Safety and efficacy data from patients followed through 2 years post injection are being presented at the Retina Society’s 54th Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago. The presentation is available on …
BVI Announces Investment and Collaboration with Beyeonics Vision
BVI announced an investment in augmented reality company Beyeonics Vision, a medical technology subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd.Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Beyeonics Vision uses integrated augmented reality, tracking, and image processing/AI platforms to deliver improved visualization, optimized workflow, and real-time support to surgeon decision-making process in the operating room, according to a company news release. The collaboration is …
