Pfizer announced in a press release its executive leadership team for the combined Pfizer and Allergan business following the close of the proposed merger of the companies.Through the closing of the transaction, Pfizer’s Global Innovative Pharma (GIP) business and its Vaccines Oncology and Consumer (VOC) business will operate separately under Albert Bourla, currently group president of VOC, according to the release. When the transaction is complete, the VOC and GIP businesses will combine, with Bourla becoming group president, Global Innovative Pharma, leading the combined businesses, according to the release.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Senate Health Committee passes Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act of 2015
The Senate Health Committee passed the “Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act of 2015” (S. 849)” on Tuesday, which will establish a national surveillance system for neurological diseases. The full Senate will now consider the bill. The objective of S. 849, sponsored by Sens. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., is to enhance and coordinate efforts to track the epidemiology of neurological diseases in the United States, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
AGTC reports $12.2 million in quarterly revenue
AGTC reported $12.2 million in revenue in its second fiscal quarter compared with $652,000 in the same period of 2014, according to a press release. The increase was primarily due to amortization of upfront fees received under the company’s collaboration with Biogen.
Glaukos establishes direct sales organization, launches iStent inject in Australia
Glaukos has established a direct sales organization and launched the iStent inject trabecular micro-bypass stent in Australia, according to a press release. The iStent inject was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. It is to be used with c…
Senate health committee passes Next Generation Researchers Act
The Senate health committee passed the Next Generation Researchers Act (S. 2014) with bipartisan support on Tuesday, which aims to increase opportunities for young researchers and attract them to the NIH. The full Senate will now consider the bill. “In order for America to out-innovate the rest of the world and create an economy built to last, we must protect and strengthen our investments in research, science and innovation. We can’t accomplish this without supporting and investing in the next generation of researchers,” Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said in a press (Read more...)
Senate: Health care IT bill will ‘end unfair practices’ for patients, providers
The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions unanimously recommended a measure designed to improve health care information technology.The purpose of the “Improving Health Information Techonology Act” (S. 2511) is to simplify information sharing among doctors and allow patients easier access to their own medical records. The bill focuses on the use of the electronic health record — a real-time digital version of a patient’s medical chart — to allow for central record keeping of a patient’s entire medical history, including medications prescribed, treatment plans, immunization records, allergies, (Read more...)
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery increasingly performed by anterior segment surgeons
Anterior segment surgeons are increasingly performing minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in their patients with mild to moderate disease, especially in conjunction with cataract surgery.“What these procedures have done is brought effective glaucoma surgery into the hands of mainstream cataract surgeons who prior to these procedures did not routinely perform glaucoma surgical procedures,” OSN Technology Board Member Jodi I. Luchs, MD, FACS, said. Moreover, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) “can produce a significant difference in clinical outcomes, reducing intraocular pressure and relieving the need to use topical medications in many cases,” (Read more...)
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:I am submitting a counterpoint to the apologetics provided by Drs. Gustafson and Lindstrom regarding the pricing of Omidria in the Nov. 10, 2015, issue of Ocular Surgery News. I offer some “outside of the beltway” perspective, characterized by Allison Weber Shuren, MSN, JD, as “misguided” at the 2015 ACES/SEE meeting. Please note that all three are paid consultants to Omeros.
Working with industry as a speaker, investigator and consultant
Over the past dozen years, I have enjoyed working with many ophthalmic companies to design new devices, evaluate and improve current products, and educate fellow physicians about their use. This has given me the opportunity to work with the brightest m…
YAG laser vitreolysis vs. pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous floaters
Welcome to another edition of CEDARS/ASPENS Debates. CEDARS/ASPENS is a joint society of cornea, cataract and refractive surgery specialists, here to discuss some of the latest hot topics in ophthalmology.Vitreous floaters remain frustrating to many patients. Not only may these be visually debilitating, but also there are few effective treatment options available. In general, patients are forced to “live with it.” This month, Karl G. Stonecipher, MD, and Shachar Tauber, MD, two of my fellow Tulane alums, discuss the options of YAG laser vitreolysis and pars plana vitrectomy for the (Read more...)
Disruptive changes ahead in glaucoma space
All of us who do cataract surgery see a significant number of patients who have glaucoma as a comorbidity. At least 10% of patients who come to have cataract surgery also have a diagnosis of glaucoma or ocular hypertension, and a review of Medicare sta…
Infant presents with tearing, discharge from both eyes
A 4-month-old previously healthy full-term infant presented to her pediatrician with tearing and discharge from both eyes. The mother noted this had been present since birth and did not note any associated symptoms. On exam, the pediatrician noted normal development and bilateral tearing. The infant was diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Warm compresses and nasolacrimal massage were recommended.The patient was sent home; however, a week later she returned to the emergency department with right eye injection and mild edema around the right eye. She was playful on exam and had (Read more...)
Balancing clinical practice and corporate leadership presents challenges and rewards
Many practicing ophthalmologists work as consultants to industry, helping to steer research and development efforts. Some have more substantial and demanding leadership positions, particularly in small companies that focus on specific ophthalmic subspe…
Dry eye can be a surgical disease
For some reason I get all confessional with you here. Doubtless it has something to do with our shared experience in the trenches, stomping out dry eye wherever it threatens our patients. Here is my latest: I would really rather be in the operating roo…
Ophthalmic community grieves Cesare Forlini, brilliant and tireless innovator of ocular surgery
Cesare Forlini, MD, an internationally acclaimed vitreoretinal surgeon, passed away Feb. 9, ending what he himself defined as “a fierce fight in the mouth of the dragon.” The former head of the trauma unit and ophthalmology department of Ravenna City Hospital, Italy, Forlini trained at the school of Prof. Egidio Dal Fiume, one of the pioneers of Italian ophthalmology, carrying forward his master’s vocation for complex and combined surgeries. His pole to pole “global strategy” and “multidistrict” approach to eye injuries, in which the surgeon moves between the anterior and (Read more...)
Publication Exclusive: Micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation an option for refractory glaucoma
Glaucoma can be a difficult management problem in a subset of patients, even for the most experienced glaucoma specialists. The treatment spectrum includes drugs, trabeculoplasty, microincision glaucoma surgery and traditional glaucoma surgery.While many use glaucoma medications as their initial treatment modality, others use selective laser trabeculoplasty for the initial IOP control. The majority of glaucoma patients’ IOPs may be controlled with one or more topical medications, but there is a subset of patients whose IOPs are not adequately controlled even on maximum medical therapy. Additionally, some patients have limited choice (Read more...)
AKB-9778 improves underlying diabetic retinopathy in TIME-2 study
AKB-9778 alone or in combination with ranibizumab improved underlying diabetic retinopathy in eyes with and without diabetic macular edema in the TIME-2 phase 2a study, Aerpio Therapeutics announced in a press release. Patients in the TIME-2 study were…
Doctors urge Congress to preserve the 340B Drug Pricing Program
Thousands of physicians from American safety-net hospitals signed a letter sent to Congress highlighting the importance of the 340B Drug Pricing Program.The letter asks Congress not to consider suggestions from drug industry lobbyists to restrict the i…
Reading speed suitable outcome measure for lampalizumab trials
MIAMI — Results of the MAHALO study support the use of reading speed as a secondary outcome measure in clinical trials for lampalizumab, a speaker told colleagues here.Lampalizumab (Roche) is a monoclonal antibody fragment that targets factor D and inhibits the progression of geographic atrophy.
Vision-threatening abnormalities possible in infants with presumed Zika virus-associated microcephaly
Infants who are born with microcephaly due to congenital infection from presumed exposure to the Zika virus may have vision-threatening abnormalities, according to a study. The case series included 29 infants with microcephaly and a presumed diagnosis …