Business in Brief
We go through the recent business announcements from the world of ophthalmology – so you don’t have to!
Aleksandra Jones | | 4 min read | News
Bettina Hohberger
RetInSight, a spin-off from the Department of Ophthalmology & Optometry at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, develops AI-based software solutions. The company has obtained a CE mark for its RetInSight Fluid Monitor, designed for innovative neovascular AMD monitoring. Link
Bettina Hohberger, a researcher from the Eye Clinic at the Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany, has received the Xtreme Research Award from Heidelberg Engineering for her investigations into chronic fatigue syndrome associated with long COVID. Link
Roche’s wet AMD treatment, faricimab, is the first therapy approved for the UK market using the Access Consortium – a collaboration of regulators from the UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Switzerland whose aim is to increase cooperation, avoid duplicating regulatory processes, and get treatments to patients faster. Link
BRIM Biotechnology has entered into a partnership with ORA, an organization facilitating ophthalmic research. They are working together on late-stage clinical development of BRM421 for the treatment of dry eye disease. Link
Visus Therapeutics has signed an exclusive agreement with Zhaoke Ophthalmology to commercialize BRIMOCHOL PF and Carbachol PF – two preservative-free, long-lasting eye drops designed to address presbyopia – in Greater China, South Korea, and some territories in South Asia. Link
Haag-Streit reports that a recent study published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery illustrates the IOL prediction superiority of the Hill-RBF 3.0 formula, which performed better at predicting refractive outcomes in cataract surgery than any other formula assessed. Link
MacuLogix has announced that over one million dark adaptation tests have been performed using either the company’s original AdaptDx or the head-mounted AdaptDx Pro guided by Theia. Both devices use the same technology to efficiently measure dark adaptation speed for diagnosis and monitoring of AMD. Link
BELKIN Vision’s Eagle – a non-contact automated laser using DSLT technology to treat glaucoma – has received its CE mark, making it the first such European treatment. Link
HOYA Vision Care has shared the results of a six-year follow-up study of its MiYOSMART lens in pediatric patients in Asia. The study showed that the lens controlled myopia over time with no rebound effect when lens use was stopped. Link
This week, Alcon celebrates 75 years of serving eye care professionals and patients. The company was set up in 1947 by Robert Alexander and William Conner, who used the first letters of their surnames to create a unique business name. Link
Haag-Streit has announced the launch of the Eyestar 900 Anterior Chamber Suite, based on swept-source OCT and designed to be a useful addition to the Cataract Suite. It offers comprehensive data analysis from precise measurements and detailed images of the anterior chamber. Link
At this month’s ARVO Annual Meeting, Stoke Therapeutics is sharing new preclinical in vivo results in trials of the prospective treatment for autosomal dominant optic atrophy, the most common inherited optic nerve disorder. Data show dose-related target engagement and sustained OPA1 protein increases. Link
During ASCRS 2022, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals presented results from two recent Demodex blepharitis studies – the Atlas trial and the Pandora study – that underline the impact of the condition with no current effective treatment on patients’ wellbeing. Tarsus’ Demodex blepharitis therapeutic is currently in Phase III clinical trials. Link
A new commercial spinout from The University of Birmingham, Healome Therapeutics, is developing a platform with a “pro-healing” microenvironment for ocular surface diseases. The platform features a fluid-gel material that self-structures into a temporary protective eye surface layer. Link
Avellino has appointed Genya Dana as its Global Head of Healthcare. Dana previously held this position at the World Economic Forum, leading initiatives in precision medicine, pandemic forecasting, and the health of women and girls. She has also worked at the US Department of State, acting as a UN negotiator and helping develop the US stance on emerging biotechnologies. Link
PERSPECTIVE, an RWE study evaluating long-term severe keratitis treatment in DED patients, has shown that cyclosporine A 0.1% significantly reduced DED symptoms from week four and over 12 months. Link
Silica drug-delivery company DelSiTech is working with Optifye Therapeutics to develop and commercialize a dexamethasone eye drop using silica matrix technology. The goal is to develop a controlled-release, single-application drop. Link
Xiidra, Novartis’ DED LFA-1 antagonist treatment, is now available to around 60 percent of Medicare Part D patients without the need for prior authorization or step therapy. Link
Opus Genetics has announced data from studies evaluating gene therapies for forms of Leber congenital amaurosis. According to data, the treatments have been well tolerated and showed therapeutic potential. Link
Nova Eye Medical has highlighted results of three case series that evaluated canaloplasty in OAG glaucoma in post-keratoplasty patients. The studies emphasized comparable reduction in IOP and medications sustained during 48 months post-op, and showed that canaloplasty with Nova Eye’s iTrack can be safely performed in cornea-compromised patients, including post-PK. Link
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