News

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Bayer HealthCare have announced an agreement to jointly develop an innovative antibody to the Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Beta (PDGFR-beta) as a potential combination therapy with aflibercept (Eylea) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

OASIS Medical Inc. and Spain-based AJL Ophthalmic SA have announced an exclusive relationship for the sales and distribution of corneal implants (Intacs) for the treatment of keratoconus and the FDA-approved treatment of myopia.

Nicox Inc. has been granted the North American promotional rights to Sequenom Laboratories’ RetnaGene AMD laboratory-developed test for the evaluation of a patient’s risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease progression within 2, 5, and 10 years.

Numerous reports show that phacoemulsification lowers IOP, but further research is needed to understand what mediates the change, according to Douglas J. Rhee, MD.

Ocular Therapeutix has received approval from the FDA to commercialize its ReSure Sealant in the United States, with an indication for prevention of postoperative fluid egress from incisions with a demonstrated would leak following cataract surgery.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has acquired-through its subsidiary Carl Zeiss Meditic Inc.-100% of the shares in Aaren Scientific Inc., a US-based manufacturer of IOLs.

Ophthalmologists cannot continue to neglect glaucoma internationally considering the numbers of individuals becoming blind, related Mildred Olivier, MD.

A subretinal implant has been developed that is designed to take the place of the photoreceptors in patients with retinal degenerations, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Warming up to ICE

The combination of two microinvasive glaucoma surgeries with cataract surgery may address a patient’s cataract and glaucoma in one procedure.

The design of a new accommodating IOL shows promise in reducing the capsular bag opacification that can occur following cataract surgery.

Deep wave trabeculoplasty reduced IOP by 26% in an initial clinical investigation and is being compared with sham and selective laser trabeculoplasty in a second clinical trial.

Treatment with the fixed combination of brinzolamide 1%-brimonidine 0.2% (Simbrinza, Alcon Laboratories) was associated with significantly greater IOP-lowering than either brinzolamide or brimonidine monotherapy.

Although generic medications approved by the FDA are identical to the innovator in their active and inactive ingredients, prescribers must be cognizant about sources of problems associated with the use of ophthalmic generic drugs.

The advancement of AR-13324 into phase III represents a major step toward the goal of adding an effective and well-tolerated trabecular outflow drug to the glaucoma armamentarium.

Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd. has acquired the canaloplasty business of US-based iScience Interventional Inc., which comprises the iTrack 250 catheter and suture device for the treatment of mild-moderate glaucoma.

Kala Pharmaceuticals Inc. has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA to initiate a phase III clinical program with its mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology-formulated loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic nano-suspension product (LE-MPP).

Physician claims new IOL power calculating formula gives more accurate measurements as it factors in gender-specific differences of the human eye.