FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Eyevance
Pharmaceuticals, committed to developing and commercializing
innovative and impactful ophthalmic products, is pleased to
announce the acquisition of TOBRADEX® ST (tobramycin/dexamethasone
ophthalmic suspension) 0.3%/0.05% and NATACYN® (natamycin
ophthalmic suspension) 5% from Novartis.
"The acquisition of TOBRADEX® ST and NATACYN® further
demonstrates Eyevance's commitment and mission to serve the doctors
that treat patients' anterior segment and ocular surface
conditions," shared Jerry St.
Peter, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Director,
Eyevance Pharmaceuticals. "Today's market conditions and broad
payer coverage position both products for strong, sustained growth.
Our powerful and passionate Eyevance sales force looks forward to
increasing awareness, driving growth and increasing accessibility
for these 'gold standard' offerings."
TOBRADEX® ST (tobramycin/dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension)
0.3%/0.05%, FDA-approved in the United
States, is a fixed-dose topical antibiotic and
corticosteroid combination indicated for steroid-responsive
inflammatory ocular conditions for which a corticosteroid is
indicated and where superficial bacterial ocular infection or a
risk of bacterial ocular infection exists.
"Having focused my career on cornea and in particular advanced
ocular surface disease, the need for an effective fixed-dose
combination of a corticosteroid and antibiotic is critical within
my patient population," stated Paul Karpecki, O.D.,
Director of Cornea at Kentucky Eye Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. "It is
exciting to see Eyevance acquire TOBRADEX® ST given the product's
prominent legacy treating ocular conditions. My patients suffering
from diseases such as blepharitis or conjunctivitis require a
combination product and will continue to benefit from Eyevance's
commercialization of TOBRADEX® ST."
Eyevance also acquired the global rights to NATACYN®, the
first and only FDA-approved ocular antifungal, which is
listed on The World Health Organization's (WHO) list of essential
medicines. Eyevance is excited by the opportunity to provide a safe
and efficacious therapeutic to meet the most important needs of the
global health system.
NATACYN® (natamycin ophthalmic suspension) 5% is indicated for
the treatment of fungal blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and keratitis
caused by susceptible organisms including Fusarium solani
keratitis.
"Fungal eye infections are uncommon but can be very serious,"
commented Francis Mah, M.D.,
Cornea, External Disease and International Expert on Corneal
Infections, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla,
California. "While the most common cause of a fungal eye
infection is as a result of an eye injury, it is also important to
note that patients who have had surgery to replace their corneal
endothelium are at higher risk of fungal eye infections. It's nice
to see Eyevance acquire NATACYN®, as it is our only FDA-approved,
commercially available topical ocular antifungal. Increasing
awareness of fungal infections and NATACYN® therapeutic benefits
and it's availability continues to be very important to the
ophthalmic community."
Since inception in September 2017,
Eyevance has acquired or licensed products that treat ocular
diseases or conditions that may require an antibiotic,
corticosteroid, antihistamine, antibiotic/corticosteroid, tear
lubricant, antifungal, or the rare disease/orphan condition of
persistent epithelial defects. The widespread ensemble of anterior
segment and ocular surface medications assists in driving
Eyevance's business strategy.
The acquisition of TOBRADEX® ST and NATACYN® represents the
latest milestone in Eyevance's growth strategy, which saw the
acquisition or licensing of multiple ophthalmic pharmaceutical
products in 2017 and 2018. This includes FLAREX® (fluorometholone
acetate ophthalmic suspension) 0.1% from Novartis, ZERVIATE®
(cetirizine ophthalmic solution) 0.24% from Nicox Ophthalmics,
FRESHKOTE® Preservative-Free (PF) tear lubricant line from Focus
Laboratories, 4 additional non-disclosed late stage and FDA
approved products; plus, its development stage asset,
NEXAGON® from OcuNexus for an orphan condition.
As part of the Company's commercial strategy, Eyevance attended
the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting in
San Francisco, California from
October 11-15, 2019 and will be at
the American Academy of Optometry (AAOpt) annual meeting in
Orlando, Florida from October 23-26, 2019. Interested eye care
practitioners are welcome to visit Eyevance at AAOpt Booth #629 to
learn more.
Hayfin Capital Management LLP provided debt financing and an
equity investment to support the transaction.
For complete product information about TOBRADEX® ST, including
important safety information, please visit
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/050818lbl.pdf.
For complete product information about NATACYN®, including
important safety information, please visit
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/050514s009lbl.pdf.
About Eyevance Pharmaceuticals
Eyevance
Pharmaceuticals is a Fort
Worth-based company committed to developing and
commercializing innovative and impactful ophthalmic products that
enable optimal vision and better quality of life for all patients.
Eyevance seeks to establish a portfolio of products that address
significant unmet needs, including rare and orphan conditions,
while also focusing on products with a legacy of proven safety and
efficacy. For more information, visit http://eyevance.com.
Advisors
Burke, Warren, McKay and Serritella, P.C.
and Greenblum & Bernstein, PLC are acting as legal advisors to
Eyevance.
Contact
For additional information, please
contact:
Allison Howell
Senior Account Director, Pascale
412.228.1678 | allison@pascalecommunications.com
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SOURCE Eyevance Pharmaceuticals