This Week in Ophthalmology: Week of August 4, 2024

I am David Hutton of Ophthalmology Times. Welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Ophthalmology, a video series highlighting some of the top articles featured on the Ophthalmology Times website. Earlier this Summer, I spoke with Dr. Carl Danzig of the Rand Eye Institute. We discussed the 24-week results from the PRISM trials. Let’s take a look back at that discussion.

ASCRS announced a new educational initiative—the ASCRS Business of Refractive Cataract Surgery Summit. A goal of the summit is to equip practices with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to boost the adoption of advanced-technology IOLs.

In a news release, Vance Thompson, MD, ASCRS president and chairman of the new program, pointed out that more than half of patients seeking cataract consultations are interested in increasing their spectacle independence, yet not enough practices offer the implant technologies needed to achieve these refractive results.

The summit offers more than 18 hours of in-person coursework, scheduled September 27–28, 2024 in Irving, Texas, near Dallas. Additionally, attendees will have access to an extensive online resource library.

Read More: ASCRS launches Summit to enhance refractive cataract surgery practices

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Ocugen, Inc. to begin its expanded access program (EAP) for the treatment of patients, aged 18 and older, with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) with OCU400. This treatment is a modifier gene therapy product candidate currently seeing positive results in clinical trials.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Ocugen, Inc. to begin its expanded access program (EAP) for the treatment of patients, aged 18 and older, with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) with OCU400. This treatment is a modifier gene therapy product candidate currently seeing positive results in clinical trials.

Read More: Ocugen announces FDA approval of Expanded Access Program for patients with retinitis pigmentosa

APP13007 was approved by the FDA in March of 2024 for the relief of pain and inflammation following ocular surgery. Last year, Eyenovia acquired exclusive US rights to distribute and sell the drug from Formosa.

The licensing deal between Formosa and Apotex will include “certain payments,” including an upfront payment of an undisclosed amount and milestone payments upon achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones.

Read Here: Formosa Pharmaceuticals and Apotex Inc. announce licensing agreement of APP13007 in Canada