BioTime Inc. (NYSE:BTX) said today that it expanded its OpRegen Phase I/IIa trial into the U.S. with 2 new trial sites. The company’s study is evaluating its OpRegen cell therapy in patients with advanced dry form age-related macular degeneration. The 2 U.S.-based trial sites will include ophthalmologists Dr. David Boyer from the Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group […]
Optical/Ophthalmic
Alimera, Brill Pharma ink exclusive distribution deal for Iluvien intravitreal implant
Alimera Sciences (NSDQ:ALIM) said today that it inked an exclusive distribution deal with Spain-based Brill Pharma for its Iluvien sustained-release intravitreal implant. According to the agreement, Brill Pharma will promote, market and commercialize the diabetic macular edema implant in Spain. It will also negotiate with the Spanish Ministry of Health on the implant’s public price and […]
Ocular misses estimates for Q4 earnings, but beats on rev
Shares in Ocular Therapeutix (NSDQ:OCUL) fell today after the biopharmaceutical company missed earnings expectations, but beat sales estimates on Wall Street with its 4th quarter results. The Bedford, Mass.-based company posted losses of -$-12.8 million, or -52¢ per share, on sales of $0.5 million for the 3 months ended Dec. 31, for bottom-line loss of -20.5% on […]
Second Sight Medical closes $20m rights offering
Second Sight Medical (NSDQ:EYES) said today it closed a previously announced rights offering, retaining approximately $20.1 million with proceeds slated to support development and improvement of its Argus II retinal prosthesis. The Argus II induces visual perception in blind patients with retinitis pigmentosa by stimulating of the retina’s remaining cells with electrical pulses, which allows for […]
Researchers develop micropump for patients with glaucoma
Researchers from the University of Southern California’s Roski Eye Institute developed a micropump that can be implanted directly into the eye and deliver a predetermined dose of the diabetic macular edema drug ranibizumab. Current treatments for glaucoma are traditionally delivered using eye drops. But studies show that some patients stop taking their prescription glaucoma eye […]
Contact lens maker VTI plans IPO Down Under
Visioneering Technologies this week priced its A$33.3 million initial public offering on the Australian Securities Exchange. The U.S.-based contact lens maker said it’s offering 79.4 million shares of its Class A common stock priced at ¢42 apiece. The company plans to use the net proceeds from the IPO to provide capital as VTI broadens the U.S. […]
Aerie resubmits NDA for Rhopressa eye drops
Aerie Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:AERI) said today that it resubmit a New Drug Application for the company’s Rhopressa eye drops. The Irvine, Calif.-based company’s NDA was withdrawn in October last year, after a contract manufacturer was not prepared for its pre-approval inspection. Aerie’s Rhopressa eye drops specifically target the eye’s trabecular network – the diseased tissue responsible for […]
TearLab readies for reverse split
Shares in TearLab Corp. (NSDQ:TEAR) said last week that its board approved a 1-for-1 reverse split of its common stock. The company’s shares have fallen nearly 20% since the beginning of the month. The San Diego, Calif.-based company’s move reduced the total number of authorized shares of its common stock from 95 million t0 9.5 […]
Clearside bails on AMD, all-in on diabetic macular edema
Clearside Biomedical (NSDQ:CLSD) said today it will redirect its R&D efforts from its pre-clinical axitinib wet age-related macular degeneration therapy to its Zuprata diabetic macular edema treatment. The Alpharetta, Ga.-based company said that recent trial results from other companies investigating combination therapies for wet AMD have led Clearside to reconsider its proprietary suspension formulation of […]
Johnson & Johnson closes $4.3B Abbott Medical Optics buy
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said today that it closed the $4.33 billion buyout of Abbott Medical Optics from Abbott (NYSE:ABT). The deal for AMO, announced in September 2016, includes its portfolio of ophthalmic products covering cataract surgery, laser refractive surgery and consumer eye health. The business posts annual sales of $1.1 billion and is slated to be folded into the medical […]
Alimera, Knight seek Canadian regulatory nod for Iluvien intravitreal implant
Alimera Sciences (NSDQ:ALIM) and Knight Therapeutics (TSE:GUD) said today that Health Canada accepted the companies’ New Drug Application for its intravitreal implant, Iluvien. The FDA approved Atlanta-based Alimera’s sustained release intravitreal implant in 2014 to treat diabetic macular edema in patients who have been previously treated with corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise […]