Advertisement

PentaVision

Ophthalmology Management

News

Quick Notes: October 4, 2023

OCULUS partners with LUVO to offer new IPL/RF devices to US ophthalmic market; Neurolens introduces new immersive, VR-based device that measures eye misalignment; and more.

Ophthalmology Management October 4, 2023

  • OCULUS Inc. announced a strategic partnership with LUVO to bring new specialty care devices to the US optometry and ophthalmology markets. OCULUS is launching the LUVO LUCENT and DARWIN with intense pulsed light (IPL) and radio frequency therapy. The IPL therapy offered through the LUCENT IPL and DARWIN multi-modality workstation delivers energy at several different wavelengths to treat multiple conditions. Features include multiple IPL applications, several pulse modes, advanced cooling technology and a user-friendly interface. The Thermal Radio Frequency handpiece included with the DARWIN workstation complements IPL therapy and allows physicians to treat regardless of skin type. Using the Non-Pole Thermal Structure technology, the DARWIN delivers focused and uniform thermal energy to heat the target area.

  • Neurolens introduced N3, an immersive, engaging virtual reality experience that provides an objective, accurate, and repeatable measurement of binocular alignment, which incorporates elements of heterophoria, fixation disparity, accommodative convergence response and central and peripheral alignment. N3 measures eye misalignment at distance and near using a dissociative test where the eyes are shown independent non-fusible targets, and direction of gaze is measured. This measurement is combined with an associative test where peripheral fusion is attained and central alignment is measured. N3 consists of a stereoscopic display and an eye-tracking mechanism for an objective measurement. The test consists of a distance measurement at 1.7 meters (typical TV viewing distance) and a near measurement at 50 centimeters (typical reading distance).

  • ZEISS Medical Technology and Boehringer Ingelheim announced a long-term strategic collaboration to develop predictive analytics to enable early detection of eye diseases and more personalized treatments to prevent vision loss for people with serious eye diseases. The partnership brings together both companies’ expertise in ophthalmological technology, data analytics, algorithms and the development of first-in-class treatments to detect early and treat retinal diseases before irreversible vision loss occurs. The new partnership will focus on identifying markers of early stages of retinal diseases by leveraging ZEISS’ cloud-connected devices and AI-assisted analysis of massive image data sets. This will provide a basis for clinical studies for development of more personalized and precise treatments of early stages of chronic retinal disease as well as earlier detection and prediction capabilities to preserve vision through new treatment pathways.

  • Harrow changed its corporate name from “Harrow Health, Inc.” to “Harrow, Inc.” to align with the company’s current 5-year strategic plan, which includes an exclusive focus on eye-care pharmaceuticals. With the growing recognition of the Harrow name within the ophthalmic community, along with the connection of the Harrow brand to one of the largest portfolios of ophthalmic pharmaceutical products in the US market, Harrow CEO Mark L. Baum says it was the right time for the company to represent its exclusive commitment to the ophthalmic market by shortening its corporate name.

  • Melt Pharmaceuticals entered into an exclusive development and license agreement with Catalent. Under the terms of the agreement, Melt will utilize Catalent’s proprietary Zydis orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) fast-dissolve technology with MELT-300, a sublingual, needle- and opioid-free patented formulation for procedural sedation during cataract surgery in the United States and any other countries mutually agreed upon by both parties. MELT-300, which combines fixed doses of midazolam (3 mg) and ketamine (50 mg), is administered sublingually for procedural sedation during cataract surgery and utilizes Zydis ODT technology to rapidly dissolve the tablet for absorption across the sublingual mucosa. Catalent’s Zydis ODT technology is currently used in more than 35 FDA-approved and US-marketed products.

  • Sight Sciences announced the results of the large scale, comparative real-world clinical outcomes study of patients treated by three leading minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) technologies. Using the AAO IRIS Registry, this large-scale MIGS study evaluated long-term 2-year post-surgical outcomes among patients with glaucoma treated with three FDA-approved/cleared ab interno MIGS devices, combined with cataract surgery, as well as for cataract surgery alone. At 24 months, high baseline IOP (>18 mm Hg) patients who received the Trabeculocanalicular Outflow Restoration (TCOR) procedure using the OMNI Surgical System technology had the greatest numerical reduction in IOP and the greatest numerical reduction in medication use. At 24 months, low baseline IOP (≤18 mm Hg) patients who received the TCOR procedure using OMNI technology had the greatest numerical reduction in IOP and a statistically significant greater mean medication reduction. For more, see the study results here.

  • Bausch + Lomb completed its acquisition of XIIDRA (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5%, a non-steroid eyedrop specifically approved to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) focusing on inflammation associated with dry eye, and certain other ophthalmology assets. As part of the transaction, Bausch + Lomb also acquired libvatrep (SAF312), an investigational compound being studied for the treatment of chronic ocular surface pain, and AcuStream technology, an investigational device that may have the potential to facilitate precise dosing and accurate delivery of certain topical ophthalmic medications to the eye. Libvatrep is currently in Phase 2b development with study results anticipated to be completed in the second half of 2023. 


  • Humonix Biosciences developed a new 3D human tissue model — the retinal vascular dysfunction model — that is a physiologically relevant 3D model of the blood-retinal barrier. This model expresses key physiological and biological characteristics, providing a platform for testing therapies related to retinal vascular dysfunction. Humonix’s new model incorporates two cell types, whereas most current in vitro models utilize a single cell type, thereby missing important determinants of barrier function. Humonix’s retinal vascular dysfunction model can recapitulate organ-specific vascular dysfunction, and can be applied to diseases such as macular edema and diabetic retinopathy. This novel model can aid in the drug development process and expedite progress of life-changing therapies for patients living with retinal vascular diseases.

  • The Viatris Eye Care Division is rolling out a nationwide, multi-channel campaign for Tyrvaya, the first prescription nasal spray used to treat the signs and symptoms of DED, entitled “It’s Not Another Drop.” Directed to both consumers and physicians, the campaign depicts authentic experiences of patients managing DED and makes them aware of Tyrvaya to motivate them to talk with their physician. In addition to its first national TV commercial for the brand, the campaign also features valuable resources to help guide patients who may want to learn more about Tyrvaya, including a dedicated website, a How to Use Tyrvaya video, Instructions for Use, a How Tyrvaya Works video, a Patient Savings and Support brochure and a Doctor Discussion Guide. For more information, visit www.tyrvaya.com. 

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.