Pharmacy

Fort Lauderdale, FL—A new study offers hope that the serious adverse effects of carboplatin chemotherapy for retinoblastoma could be minimized by local delivery in a fibrin sealant sustained-release vehicle.

Orangeburg, NY—The low-dose modified corticosteroid loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.2% (Alrex, Bausch & Lomb) is effectively used during the acute phase of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, according to Ayman Matta, MD, PC, FACS.

New York—Pegaptanib sodium injection (Macugen) has won recognition as a major scientific breakthrough from an organization accustomed to novel pharmaceutical products. The drug, the first FDA-approved treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), was named Innovative Pharmaceutical Product of the Year at the 2005 Pharmaceutical Achievement Awards.

Columbus, OH—Vision researchers, eyecare specialists, bioscientists, public health, and government leaders gathered recently here in what is billed as a unique opportunity to foster collaboration in the study of vision and aging.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Ketorolac tromethamine 0.4% ophthalmic solution (Acular LS, Allergan) may be a useful adjunct for improving patient comfort and treatment compliance during the induction phase of dry eye therapy with cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis, Allergan), Barry A. Schechter, MD, said to colleagues at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology here.

Los Angeles—The medical management of age-related macular generation (AMD) has progressed by leaps and bounds in a very short space of time and generated a great deal of excitement among retina specialists. In particular, translational research has resulted in a large number of drugs that target choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Tarrytown, NY—Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. will begin a phase I trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of its "VEGF Trap" on patients with the wet form of age-related macular deneration.

Rochester, NY—In a move designed to jump-start its Asian sales, Bausch & Lomb has agreed to buy a 55% share in China's leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical company for $200 million.

Montr?al—Intravitreal injection with the anti-VEGF antibody ranibizumab [(formerly RhuFab) Lucentis, Genentech] has been associated with impressive results in the treatment of minimally classic and occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the 1-year outcomes of a phase III trial.

New Orleans—Results of a retrospective study evaluating outcomes in eyes with an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV, New World Medical) implanted indicate that the FP7 model with its silicone flexible plate affords better IOP control than the S2 model featuring a rigid polypropylene plate.

The shunt is also novel because it allows surgeon control of the amount of fluid that flows from one area to another, a feat made possible in part by the selection of gold for its construction.

New Orleans—Results of a retrospective study evaluating outcomes in eyes with an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV, New World Medical) implanted indicate that the FP7 model with its silicone flexible plate affords better IOP control than the S2 model featuring a rigid polypropylene plate.

Alcon Laboratories is currently awaiting FDA approval for marketing of its LADAR 6000, a completely new laser built with customized ablation procedures in mind.

Washington, DC—The crystalens (eyeonics), an accommodating IOL approved for use in cataract patients, provides distance, intermediate, and near vision 3 years after implantation that are slightly better than the 1-year results. Optical tilt or optic flexure with induced astigmatism in conjunction with the traditional mechanism of action is hypothesized to play a role in the near visual acuity, according to Steven J. Dell, MD, speaking at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting.

Oakbrook Terrace, IL—The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) will try to improve communications among caregivers and improve medication safety as part of its 2006 National Patient Safety Goals and Requirements.

Washington, DC—Results of a clinical trial demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the investigational nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) nepafenac 0.1% ophthalmic suspension (Alcon Laboratories) for reducing anterior segment inflammation and minimizing pain after cataract surgery, said Stephen S. Lane, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Cleveland—A privately held biotechnology company said it has developed a proprietary non-viral nucleic acid nanoparticle technology that can introduce DNA into cells of the retina and other optic tissues.

These observations—together with recent studies that have identified specific auto-antigens in melanin-containing cells—support the idea that VKH disease is an autoimmune disorder.

Washington, DC—Safety monitoring in the phase III clinical studies of topical bromfenac sodium 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) shows no detectable systemic absorption or evidence for treatment-related liver toxicity in patients treated for up to 2 weeks with this twice-daily ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), reported Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Irvine, CA—ISTA Pharmaceuticals is seeking FDA approval to start phase III studies of a new combination ophthalmic product containing tobramycin and prednisolone acetate to treat steroid-responsive inflammatory ocular conditions that risk bacterial infection.

Key Biscayne, FL—In a small, phase II clinical trial of squalamine lactate (Evizon, Genaera Corp.), a systemically delivered drug for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), all patients who received a 40-mg dose had preserved or improved vision through a 4-month study period, reported Carl Regillo, MD, FACS.

Key Biscayne, FL—Preliminary analyses from a phase II study demonstrate the feasibility of dye-enhanced photocoagulation (DEP) feeder vessel treatment (FVT) in eyes with minimally classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This new technique may have benefits compared with laser photocoagulation FVT alone for both increasing the efficiency of the procedure and allowing for treatment of larger diameter vessels, said Giovanni Staurenghi, MD, at the annual meeting of the Macula Society.

Key Biscayne, FL—In a small, phase II clinical trial of squalamine lactate (Evizon, Genaera Corp.), a systemically delivered drug for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), all patients who received a 40-mg dose had preserved or improved vision through a 4-month study period, reported Carl Regillo, MD, FACS.

On Dec. 17, 2004, the FDA approved pegaptanib sodium (Macugen, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

For senior executives at Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, New York, the 24 mm that encompass the eye—and in particular the back of the eye—is a vast frontier waiting to be explored. The small biotech company sees it as an opportunity to deliver medical solutions for the betterment of patients who suffer from blinding eye diseases. This is the direction that Eyetech is taking its future.