Author: Healio ophthalmology

Chairman delivers year’s industry highlights at OIS

LAS VEGAS — This year has been an innovative year in ophthalmology with several milestones being reached, including a number of FDA submissions and successful phase 3 clinical trials, according to Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, who gave the “Chairman’s 2015 Year in Review” at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit here. Spark Therapeutics reported clinical results for RPE-65, the first phase 3 clinical trial for gene therapy for the eye. AbbVie also reported positive phase 3 trial results for Humira (adalimumab) for treatment of noninfectious uveitis.

Speaker: Ophthalmology entering next golden age of innovation

LAS VEGAS — Ophthalmology’s next golden age of innovation is comprised of three factors: the market for eye care, the ophthalmology ecosystem and where ophthalmology is from a scientific standpoint, according to Brent Saunders, president and CEO of Allergan.“There have been many golden ages of innovation in ophthalmology. When I started to look at the factors that led to a golden age of innovation, it occurred to me that we are on the cusp of entering a new or next golden age of innovation in eye care,” Saunders said during (Read more...)

VIDEO: Update on Allegro’s phase 2b clinical trials

LAS VEGAS — At the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit, Vicken Karageozian, MD, chief technical officer of Allegro Ophthalmics, discusses progress of the company’s Luminate (ALG-1001) program and gives an update on phase 2b clinical trials and use of the integrin peptide across multiple vitreoretinal indications, including vitreomacular traction, diabetic macular edema and posterior vitreous detachment.

Leaders who believe in promise of intraoperative aberrometry win Ophthalmology Innovation Award

LAS VEGAS — Two innovators who worked together to bring the latest generation of intraoperative aberrometry to surgeons were honored at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit here.Moderator Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, said when introducing Daniel S. Durrie, MD, founder and president of Durrie Vision, and Thomas G. Frinzi, president and CEO of WaveTec Vision, as winners of the Ophthalmology Innovation Award, “It is certainly a pleasure for me, because I have known both of the winners this year for their entire careers.”

FDA accepts application for ThromboGenics’ studyof Jetrea in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy

The FDA has accepted ThromboGenics’ investigational new drug application for the phase 2 CIRCLE study of ocriplasmin to treat nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, according to a press release.The randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, multicenter study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of multiple doses of Jetrea (ocriplasmin) in inducing total posterior vitreous detachment in patients with moderate to severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. The trial will be conducted in the U.S. and several countries in Europe, the release said.

Vision Medicines, Case Western enter licensing agreement for VM200 for Stargardt disease

Vision Medicines has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Case Western Reserve University for VM200, an oral small molecule drug candidate for the treatment of Stargardt disease, according to a press release. “We are enthusiastic about the potential for VM200 and have initiated investigational new drug application-enabling studies to advance VM200 into a phase 1/2 program for Stargardt disease in 2016,” Chris Varma, PhD, chairman and CEO of Vision Medicines, said in the release.

Astellas to acquire Ocata

Astellas Pharma has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ocata Therapeutics, according to a press release. Astellas will acquire Ocata through Laurel Acquisition, a wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas. Laurel will commence a tender offer for all outstanding shares of Ocata’s common stock for $8.50 per share in cash.