OPKO Health acquires company developing glaucoma shunt

Miami-

OPKO Health has acquired Vidus Ocular, a privately held company developing a shunt (Aquashunt) to treat glaucoma.

The patented device was designed by M. Bruce Shields, MD, chairman emeritus, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine. He is chief scientific and medical officer at Vidus Ocular.

“Preclinical data on the device are encouraging, and we believe that OPKO is an ideal partner to assume responsibility for the development and commercialization of this potentially important product,” he said.

Naveed Shams, MD, PhD, OPKO chief medical officer and senior vice president of research and development, said that the device “has the potential for a relatively rapid and straightforward development and regulatory pathway. We believe the acquisition of Vidus Ocular is an excellent strategic fit with our ophthalmics business.”