Valeant Pharmaceuticals reported $2.8 billion in total revenues in the third quarter 2015, a 36% increase from the third quarter of last year, according to a press release.Net income for the third quarter was $51.7 million vs. $276.4 million in the thi…
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Linked social media–EMR databank may lead to better health outcomes
A linked electronic medical record and social media database could yield insights pertaining to a patient’s health, according to research published in BMJ Quality & Safety. Kevin Padrez, MD, a resident physician in the department of emergency medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues conducted a study of 1,433 participants to assess such a database.
Four advances in health technology we were supposed to have by Back to the Future Day
While some of the technology depicted in the 2015 of the film Back to the Future II actually has emerged, including voice activation, enormous flatscreen televisions, wearable technology and, incredibly, hoverboards, there are many other advancements s…
Both micropulse photocoagulation, half-dose PDT may treat central serous chorioretinopathy
Both micropulse photocoagulation and half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy may reduce leakage, resolve subretinal fluid and increase visual acuity in the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy, according to a study.The comparative, prospect…
OSN Europe: Emerging trends and hot topics in glaucoma from the 2015 ARVO annual meeting
Attending the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting can be daunting for the young ophthalmologist, and identifying the most important research among the hundreds of presentations is a huge task. Fortunately, the Allergan E…
Glaucoma linked to lower visual acuity, more complications after cataract surgery
Eyes with glaucoma had a higher risk of complications and less visual improvement after cataract surgery than eyes without glaucoma, according to a large study. However, glaucoma patients still had a significant improvement in visual outcomes.Data were…
CMS proposes sweeping changes for Medicare lab payments: What physicians need to know
From international law firm Arnold & Porter LLP comes a timely column that provides views on current regulatory and legislative topics that weigh on the minds of today’s physicians and health care executives.In a long-anticipated proposed rule, CMS recently revealed its preliminary plans for implementing sweeping changes relating to clinical laboratory tests. Practicing physicians should be aware of two key features of these changes.
Inotek initiates dosing in phase 3 trial of trabodenoson for glaucoma
Inotek Pharmaceuticals has initiated patient dosing in a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of trabodenoson for the treatment of glaucoma, the company announced in a press release. The phase 3 MATRx-1 clinical trial of trabodenoson includes 335 patients wi…
Avedro resubmits NDA for KXL system for corneal cross-linking
Avedro has resubmitted a new drug application for riboflavin ophthalmic solution/KXL system for corneal cross-linking to the FDA, according to a press release. In March, the FDA issued a second complete response letter asking questions about the design…
Bausch + Lomb to acquire Doctor’s Allergy Formula
Bausch + Lomb has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Doctor’s Allergy Formula LLC, which will be incorporated into the pharmaceuticals division, according to a press release.“We are committed to delivering meaningful products to serve the needs of the eye care community and their patients, and Doctor’s Allergy Formula is just one example,” Tracy Valorie, senior vice president and general manager of Bausch + Lomb Pharmaceuticals, said in the release. “We congratulate the Doctor’s Allergy Formula team for identifying and successfully addressing this important area of unmet need and (Read more...)
Bausch + Lomb to acquire Doctor’s Allergy Formula
Bausch + Lomb has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Doctor’s Allergy Formula LLC, which will be incorporated into the pharmaceuticals division, according to a press release.“We are committed to delivering meaningful products to serve the needs of the eye care community and their patients, and Doctor’s Allergy Formula is just one example,” Tracy Valorie, senior vice president and general manager of Bausch + Lomb Pharmaceuticals, said in the release. “We congratulate the Doctor’s Allergy Formula team for identifying and successfully addressing this important area of unmet need and (Read more...)
Allergan acquires AqueSys, adds Xen45 to pipeline
Allergan has completed the acquisition of AqueSys in an all-cash transaction, according to a press release. The acquisition includes a $300 million up-front payment and potential regulatory approval and commercialization milestone payments related to X…
FDA requests additional clinical study in complete response letter to lifitegrast NDA
The FDA requested an additional clinical study in a complete response letter regarding the new drug application for lifitegrast for the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in adults, according to a press release from Shire. “We will work quickly to address the FDA’s requests related to lifitegrast, as we are committed to delivering a new prescription treatment option for the 29 million adults in the U.S. living with symptoms of this chronic and progressive disease,” Philip J. Vickers, PhD, head of research and development of Shire, said in (Read more...)
OSN Europe: Possible consequences on organogenesis, neurodevelopment still a concern with use of anti-VEGFs in ROP
There may be a rationale for using anti-VEGFs in cases of severe retinopathy of prematurity to prevent neovascularization, but concerns exist about the possible detrimental effects of VEGF suppression on the organogenesis and neurodevelopment of preter…
APAO ID: A brand-new way for delegates to keep track of achievement award points and attendance record
The 31st APAO Congress is co-hosted by the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and the Ophthalmological Society of Chinese Taipei, in conjunction with the European Society of Ophthalmology. It will be held from March 24 to 27, 2016, at the Taipei International Convention Center and Taipei World Trade Center. From there, it is a 5-minute walk to Taipei 101, the city’s landmark skyscraper.The opening ceremony will be on March 24, sandwiched by two plenary sessions. Early-bird registration is open until Nov. 30, and abstract submissions will be accepted through Sept. 15. (Read more...)
Ocular Therapeutix enrolls first patients in Dextenza phase 3 clinical trial
Ocular Therapeutix Inc. has enrolled the first patients in its third phase 3 clinical trial for Dextenza to treat postoperative ocular inflammation and pain, according to a company release.The prospective, multicenter, parallel-arm, double-masked study…
Eyegate receives patent approvals for delivery system, pharmaceutical formulation
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a Notice of Allowance for a patent application related to Eyegate Pharmaceuticals’ Eyegate II Delivery System with pre-filled drug applicator, the company announced in a press release.The patent is for a delivery device containing a hydrogel applicator used to transport therapeutic substance across and/or through the eye, the release said.
Eleven Biotherapeutics completes patient enrollment for phase 3 study of isunakinra
Eleven Biotherapeutics has completed patient enrollment for the pivotal phase 3 study of isunakinra in patients with allergic conjunctivitis, the company announced in a press release. Isunakinra (EBI-005) is a topical interleukin-1 receptor blocker under study for use in moderate to severe allergic conjunctivitis. A total of 258 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive treatment with isunakinra or vehicle control in the multicenter, double-masked study. Safety and efficacy will be evaluated for up to 4½ weeks.
Mechanical epithelial removal in cross-linking may have fewer short-term complications
Corneal collagen cross-linking performed with transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy may result in more short-term complications compared with mechanical epithelial removal in keratoconus patients, according to a study.The nonrandomized retrospec…
OSN APAO: Glued IOL a valuable technique for anterior segment surgeons
As cataract and refractive surgeons, we would ideally want the IOL to be well centered and positioned in the capsular bag. However, due to certain preoperative constraints or intraoperative issues, it might not always be possible to achieve this. If th…