• Focus Vitamins launched new Focus PI (post-injection) eyedrops that are formulated to provide relief from irritation and dryness from eye injections. Focus PI eyedrops are extra viscous with 0.7% hypromellose and offer enhanced lubrication that helps alleviate discomfort in the eyes after injections, including anti-VEGF injections to treat AMD. Physicians can administer Focus PI eyedrops immediately after injections, and patients can take them home to use as needed, or both, depending on patient preference.

• Ocuphire Pharma announced topline efficacy and safety results from its ZETA-1 Phase 2 trial evaluating oral APX3330 for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). APX3330 did not meet the primary endpoint (% of patients with a ≥ 2-step improvement in DR severity score (DRSS) at week 24 in the study eye). Given the oral systemic delivery of APX3330, the company noted that it is important to evaluate the effect on both eyes and that a potential Phase 3 registration primary endpoint is a ≥ 3-step worsening of DRSS as a composite of both eyes (binocular). APX3330 demonstrated statistically significant reduction of disease progression at 24 weeks: No (0%) APX3330-treated patients had a binocular ≥ 3-step worsening of DRSS from baseline compared with 16% for placebo-treated patients (p=0.04). For more, see the study results here. 

• Iantrek Inc. announced the publication of 12-month clinical results of a novel bio-stenting procedure using the company’s microsurgical instrumentation in the peer-reviewed journal British Journal of Ophthalmology. The study reports on the long-term outcomes from the use of scleral allograft bio-tissue to stent the supraciliary space and enhance uveoscleral outflow. In the study, micro-interventional supraciliary stenting achieved a sustained IOP reduction over 12 months — close to 40% reduction from a medicated baseline of 24.2 ± 6.9 mm Hg to 14.6 ± 3.2 mm Hg (p=0.004). Additionally, 80% of the patients achieved more than a 20% reduction in IOP, and the number of glaucoma medications required was reduced by 62%. For more, see the study results here.

• Corcoran Consulting Group (CCG) and Conclusn LLC entered into an agreement to create a software application that provides proprietary utilization benchmarks for ophthalmic procedures so practice managers can identify missed revenue opportunities and potential compliance risks. Compatible with common practice management systems and updated periodically, the analytics software provides data that ophthalmologists, optometrists and allied personnel can use to optimize their businesses.

• The CDC recommends clinicians and patients immediately discontinue the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears. In a statement, the CDC says it is “investigating a multistate cluster of Verona Integron‐mediated Metallo‐β‐lactamase (VIM)‐ and Guiana‐Extended Spectrum‐β‐Lactamase (GES)‐ producing carbapenem‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM‐GES‐CRPA) associated with multiple different infection types, including eye infections.” Recent epidemiology and laboratory evidence link these infections to use of EzriCare Artificial Tears. The CDC, in partnership with state and local health departments, identified 56 isolates from 50 case patients from 11 states (CA, CO, CT, FL, NJ, NM, NY, NV, TX, UT, WA) with VIM‐GES‐CRPA; 38 cases are part of four facility clusters. The discontinuation of EzriCare Artificial Tears is recommended until the epidemiological investigation and laboratory analyses are complete.

• Amazon launched RxPass, a new Prime membership benefit from Amazon Pharmacy that offers patients access to commonly prescribed generic medications that treat more than 80 common health conditions. With RxPass, Prime members can receive eligible medications for a flat monthly fee of $5 and have them delivered free of charge. RxPass is now available in most US states. To enroll in RxPass, Prime members can go to Amazon.com or Amazon’s mobile app to create or update their Amazon Pharmacy profile. To learn more about Amazon Pharmacy and RxPass, visit amazon.com/rxpass.

Quick Notes is published weekly. Unless otherwise noted, the information presented is based on press releases. Find earlier editions here. To submit a press release to be considered for publication, click here.