Susan Benton is the president of Théa Pharma, an independent pharmaceutical company in Lexington, Mass. that specializes in the commercialization of eye-care products. Earlier this year, Théa filed its first new drug application with the FDA for a version of the glaucoma treatment latanoprost, completed its acquisition of seven branded ophthalmic products from Akorn and launched the iVIZIA line of eye-care products for dry eye. Ms. Benton has more than 25 years of global commercial and business development experience in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.

Ophthalmology Management: Théa filed its first new drug application with the FDA for a version of the glaucoma treatment latanoprost. Can you expand upon this?

Susan Benton: The FDA filed the application for review in April. If approved, this product will be the first and only preservative-free latanoprost product approved in the United States. We would then plan to launch this product in mid-2023.

Latanoprost was the first prostaglandin analog approved in the United States and remains the leading treatment of choice for newly diagnosed patients. Currently, patients receiving a glaucoma diagnosis means that they need to use drops for the rest of their life. Starting a patient on preservative-free drops can help mitigate the side effects associated with preserved eyedrops and may potentially lead to better medication adherence and disease control. This is especially important when treating a chronic condition such as glaucoma.

OM: In March, Théa completed its acquisition of seven branded ophthalmic products from Akorn. Can you discuss what this acquisition means for the company and ophthalmologists across the United States?

SB: The acquisition of this product portfolio accelerates our entry into the US market and provides a solid foundation from which we can grow our business and to launch our future internal development projects.

Additionally, we aim to meet the full needs of eye-care practitioners across a broad range of therapeutic classes. Four of the seven brands we acquired from Akorn treat elevated IOP and ocular hypertension (Zioptan, Cosopt PF, Cosopt, Betimol); Azasite treats infections conjunctivitis; AcellFX is a dried amniotic membrane that provides natural protection in ocular surface repair to promote ocular surface healing; and Akten is an ocular anesthetic used in a variety ophthalmic procedures.

Zioptan and Cosopt PF are excellent first- and second-line agents to treat glaucoma, and Betimol, through its unique formulation, affords some tolerability advantages.

OM: Can you talk about the benefit of having the iVIZIA line of over-the-counter eye-care products available to patients with dry eye?

SB: Our IVIZIA line of products are all preservative free. This is an important attribute of our dry eye and lid hygiene product offerings, because the growing body of evidence on the use of preservatives in treating a chronic condition such as dry eye demonstrates that preservative-containing eyedrops can worsen dry eye symptoms/signs in these patients. The United States trails well behind Europe both in terms of the availability and adoption of preservative-free treatment options for patients, and we endeavor to lead the preservative-free revolution in the United States and to expand the options for patients and the doctors who treat them.

In addition, Théa has created a proprietary multi-dose preservative-free bottle that is both portable and convenient for consumers. The bottle delivers a reproducible 30 microliter drop that requires the same squeeze force from the first drop until the last.

OM: What unmet needs do you feel are faced by ophthalmologists and patients, and how can Théa help with them?

SB: There are many diseases of the retina that remain untreated or are not being optimally served with current therapies today; large indications like geographic atrophy or diabetic macular edema are two great examples, but there are also smaller indications and numerous blinding inherited retinal degenerations that have no treatments today.

Easing patient treatment burden is an area of interest for Théa that we intend to tackle through sustained ocular delivery with bioerrodable materials. This approach is especially important when treating chronic diseases such as glaucoma or retina diseases. OM