Imprimis Pharmaceuticals reported a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.27 per common share, in the third quarter, compared with a loss of $2.1 million, or $0.23 per common share, in the third quarter of last year, according to a press release.Total revenu…
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Ocular Therapeutix to evaluate sustained-release travoprost for glaucoma, ocular hypertension
Ocular Therapeutix has begun enrolling the first subjects in a phase 2b clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sustained-release travoprost, according to a press release.Sustained-release travoprost (OTX-TP) is being evaluated for the re…
Valeant announces $2 billion Securities Repurchase Program
A new securities repurchase program that will allow Valeant Pharmaceuticals to make purchases up to $2 billion of its senior notes, common shares and other securities will replace the company’s expiring program, according to a company press release. The board of directors also authorized a sub-limit for the repurchase of Valeant common shares of more than 10% of the company’s public float and 5% of the company’s issued and outstanding common shares, according to the press release.
NIH renews research grants on aging
The NIH has announced renewed funding of $23.4 million for 11 Edward R. Roybal Centers for Research on Applied Gerontology and the designation of two additional sites.“The Roybal Centers’ comprehensive research infrastructure facilitates collaborations among academic researchers and those in the public and private sectors who can help design and deliver novel approaches to a number of challenges of an aging society,” NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, MD, said in a press release announcing the grants that will span 5 years. “Through a range of projects, the centers seek to (Read more...)
Optos reports 7% increase in third-quarter revenue
Optos totaled $170.6 million in revenue and operating income in the third quarter, a 7% increase from $159.5 million in the third quarter 2013, according to a press release.Adjusted profit before tax doubled to $18.5 million, compared with $9.2 million…
Surgeon discusses management of cataract and Fuchs’ dystrophy
NEW YORK — Individual case evaluation is important to decide which cataract procedure is beneficial for patients with cataract and Fuchs’ dystrophy, according to a speaker here.“In the decision-making process, do we do nothing and wait, do we do phaco with corneal Fuchs’ dystrophy, should we do endothelial keratoplasty alone, or do we do a triple procedure all at the same time — phacoemulsification, endothelial keratoplasty and posterior IOL implantation?” Thomas “TJ” John, MD, asked at OSN New York 2014.
Experts agree on need to standardize testing for contact lens products
Most scientific experts concur that existing testing methods for contact lenses and solutions should be reviewed. In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health along with organized ophthalmology and opto…
5 things to read during Contact Lens Health Week
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Optometric Association have partnered to launch Contact Lens Health Week, an annual campaign with the objective of increasing public awareness and encouraging healthy behavior surrounding contact lens wear and care.Clinicians can ensure they stay up-to-date during Contact Lens Health Week by accessing the latest contact lens industry news and clinical care research at Healio.com/Optometry through the Primary Care Optometry News daily coverage from the American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting in Denver.
HHS, NIH propose changes to make more clinical trial data available
The Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health are releasing two proposals for public comment designed to increase the transparency of clinical trials through the submission of data to ClinicalTrials.gov and increase …
Surgeon gives pearls for dislocated IOLs
NEW YORK — At the OSN New York meeting here, Uday Devgan, MD, discusses pearls for properly diagnosing and treating dislocated IOLs.
Surgeon recommends use of sealants to close corneal incisions
NEW YORK — Cataract surgeons should be confident that a hydrogel sealant used to close corneal incisions will prevent wound leakage with fewer adverse events than sutures and no need for removal, according to a speaker here.“The inconvenient truth about what we do is that there are corneal incisions that we assume we seal but do not,” John A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS, said at OSN New York 2014.
Ophthotec reports $39.6 million revenue in third quarter
Ophthotec reported $39.6 million in revenue in the third quarter, as well as a 9-month net loss of $62.3 million, according to a company press release.The revenue was attributed to a $50 million enrollment-based milestone reached in September through a…
Surgeon says now is good time to adopt femtosecond cataract surgery
NEW YORK — At OSN New York, John A. Hovanesian, MD, discusses reasons that he has begun performing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. With more evidence appearing in peer-reviewed journals, the advantages of the surgery are becoming more convincing.
Surgeon dispels misconceptions about retina surgery
NEW YORK — Three common misconceptions about retina surgery are that it takes a long time, patients do not see well after surgery and patients have to be face down after surgery, according to a speaker here. “Most of you may have trained back in an era of 20-gauge surgery. You may have trained at a time where people did not see improvement or when retinal surgery was painful,” John W. Kitchens, MD, said at OSN New York 2014. “Some of these things are historical. We do things a lot (Read more...)
Speaker offers tips for dealing with weak zonules in cataract surgery
NEW YORK — Surgeons should take extra time look for risk factors related to weakened or compromised zonules at the cataract surgery consult, according to a speaker here. “If we all do enough cataract surgery, we are going to come across patients who have zonular issues. It could be zonular laxity or actual zonular dehiscence,” Cynthia Matossian, MD, said at OSN New York 2014.
Heidelberg upgrades Spectralis glaucoma module
DENVER – The Glaucoma Module Premium Edition for Heidelberg Engineering’s Spectralis is pending 510 clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Murray Fingeret, OD, said here at an American Academy of Optometry-sponsored press conference.He explained how the new technology works.
Cataract surgery first leads to better long-term maintenance of glaucoma
NEW YORK — Planning cataract surgery before glaucoma surgery leads to better long-term maintenance of glaucoma, according to a speaker here. In patients with narrow open-angle glaucoma with high IOP, cataract surgery deepens the angle, increases the anterior chamber, prevents peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) and decreases IOP, Savak Teymoorian, MD, said at OSN New York 2014.
Speaker offers pearls for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery
NEW YORK — Surgeons should begin adopting femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, according to a speaker here. “The technology is beginning to come into its own and mature, and we have four platforms to choose from,” Lisa Arbisser, MD, said at OSN New York 2014. “Our journey is on a continuum of perfection in cataract surgery, and I think that it is not the giant leap but it has the potential to get there.”
Actavis to acquire Allergan in $66 billion transaction
Actavis plans to acquire Allergan in a transaction valued at $66 billion, or $219 per share in cash and Actavis shares.The acquisition would create a top 10 global growth pharmaceutical company with $23 billion in anticipated revenue, Allergan announce…
Valeant acquires Nicox Inc. for up to $20 million in cash, future payments
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has acquired Nicox’s U.S. diagnostics subsidiary Nicox Inc. in a deal totaling up to $20 million, Nicox announced in a press release.Under the terms of the agreement, Valeant acquired Nicox Inc. for $10 million in cash, plus additional cash payments of up to $10 million based on Valeant achieving sales benchmarks with transferred products. The deal is effective immediately.