Pharmacy

Novartis plans to assume complete control over Alcon Laboratories in a two-step process that some analysts and some members of Alcon's board of directors are challenging for its fairness under U.S. and Swiss merger laws.

Glaucoma and ocular hypertension can effectively be treated topically with IOP-lowering drops.

After decades of giving pharmaceutical treatment options for glaucoma, Alcon Laboratories plans to add a surgical treatment option by acquiring Optonol Ltd.

This has been a year filled with many exciting developments in cataract surgery.

As attendees gather for the Wilmer Eye Institute's 22nd annual Current Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting, they can expect the agenda to focus on clinical use and medical issues important to ophthalmology.

Interim results from the first human pharmacokinetic study of an investigational extended-release intravitreal device for the treatment of diabetic macular edema suggest that it has both significant efficacy and a favorable side effect profile.

New data from phase III clinical trials of dexamethasone 0.7 mg intravitreal implant reaffirm that this novel pharmacotherapeutic intervention is well-tolerated and effectively improves vision in patients with macular edema secondary to a branch or central retinal vein occlusion.

Boca Raton, FL-New FDA-approved technology (Vision Restoration Therapy, Nova Vision Inc.) delivers a custom-designed pattern of light of varying intensity to the edges of the visual field to increase the field in patients whose vision is impaired due to stroke, according to recently reported research.

Boca Raton, FL-New FDA-approved technology (Vision Restoration Therapy, Nova Vision Inc.) delivers a custom-designed pattern of light of varying intensity to the edges of the visual field to increase the field in patients whose vision is impaired due to stroke, according to recently reported research.

Irvine, CA-ISTA Pharmaceuticals Inc. plans to file a supplemental new drug application with the FDA later this year based on preliminary results and pending further analyses of a phase III trial of its once-daily formulation of bromfenac sodium ophthalmic solution (Xibrom). If approved, this formulation of the topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) would become the only once-daily treatment for ocular pain and inflammation after cataract surgery.

Jersey City, NJ-The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to two investigational therapeutics of Lux Biosciences, a privately held biotechnical company specializing in treatments for ophthalmic diseases.

Chapel Hill, NC-Lantibio Inc. and TRB Chemedica have begun a phase III clinical trial with VISMED, a patented formulation containing sodium hyaluronate, to treat dry eye syndrome.

Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb has purchased Alimera Sciences' over-the-counter allergy franchise, including ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.025% (Alaway), which was recently approved by the FDA.

Lynbrook, NY-Ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.025% (Zaditor, Novartis) offers potent, fast-acting treatment for the signs and symptoms of ocular allergy with excellent safety and the convenience of availability as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, said Marguerite B. McDonald, MD.

Irvine, CA-Visiogen Inc. has received FDA approval to expand the phase III clinical trial of its dual-optic accommodating IOL (Synchrony) in the United States.

San Diego-TargeGen has begun a phase I trial of a topical drug to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Exton, PA-Othera Pharmaceuticals Inc. has begun enrollment for a phase II clinical trial of its topical eye drop OT-551 in patients with bilateral geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Irvine, CA-ISTA Pharmaceuticals Inc. has submitted an investigational new drug application with the FDA for its eye-drop formulation of bepotastine to treat allergic conjunctivitis.

Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb has purchased the over-the-counter (OTC) allergy franchise of Alimera Sciences Inc., a privately held company based in Atlanta.

St. Petersburg, FL-Lenstec Inc. says the FDA has granted it an investigational device exemption to begin a clinical trial of the Softec HD posterior chamber IOL.

Fort Worth, TX-The presence of mold in multiple bottles of Systane Free Liquid Gel has forced Alcon Laboratories Inc. to issue a voluntary recall of the product.

Fort Worth, TX-The presence of mold in multiple bottles of Systane Free Liquid Gel has forced Alcon Laboratories Inc. to issue a voluntary recall of the product.

New York-The use of a scleral spacing procedure using PreView Scleral Implants (Refocus Group Inc.) appears to improve the technique to correct presbyopia. This revised technique seems to be a safe and effective method of improving near visual acuity without affecting distance visual acuity in emmetropic presbyopia, according to Barrie D. Soloway, MD, FACS.

Jersey City, NJ-Now that the 30-day waiting period has ended for the investigational new drug application filed by Lux Biosciences Inc. for the development of LX211 in uveitis, the company will begin three controlled, double-masked clinical trials of the next-generation calcineurin inhibitor in early 2007. The studies collectively will enroll more than 500 patients in North America and Europe.

Union City, CA-MacuSight Inc., a developer of innovative therapeutics for the treatment of severe ocular diseases and conditions, announced the appointment of Brian C. Cunningham to its board of directors.