GLG News by Ophthalmologists (US)

Combigan is a glaucoma medication which combines a beta blocker and alpha agonist. Although combination drugs are great for glaucoma management, this will NOT be a first line medication in treating glaucoma.  The prostaglandins (PFE, ACL) are still the gold standard IOP lowering agents...

The market for eye drops for the treatment of open angle glaucoma is huge. Profit potential for pharmaceutical companies, however, is limited by the time period that they are afforded patent protection. Combigan, the just approved brimonidine/timolol combination therapy, affords Allergan new patent...

Patient compliance with glaucoma eyedrops is a key barrier in achieveing acceptable clinical outcomes. There is only one other product, Cosopt (by Merck) that offers a combination glaucoma medication. This medication may become a popular choice for glaucoma doctors to improve patient complian...

In the two weeks since Genetech made its announcement that it would limit the availability of Avastin to ophthalmologists for use in treating wet macular degeneration the outcry from patients, ophthalmologists, politicians, and the American Academy of OPhthalmology has been so great that Genetech is...

IOL technology has improved dramatically over the past decade.  However, the current multifocal/accommodating lenses (i.e., ReSTOR, ReZoom, and Crystalens) each have their own strengths and weaknesses.  The topic of matching or mixing lenses has therefore become very important.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology said the recent decision by Genentech to limit availability of Avastin (bevacizumab) to compounding pharmacies could have a significant negative impact on the care of patients with age-related macular degeneration [AMD]. Dr. Charles Wilkinson, president of the AAO,...

Presbyopia correcting IOLs currently represent 5% of all IOLs implanted in the United States (about 3.5 million per year).  The products available in this category include the ReSTOR multifocal IOL (Alcon), the ReZoom multifocal IOL (AMO) and the cyrstalens accommodative IOL (eyeonics).  Although...

Genentech, Inc.  is suspending sales of Avastin (bevacizumab) to compounding pharmacies in the United STates, in an effort to curb its non approved use for wet macular degenration. Recently, ophthalmologists have begun using the antiangiogenic cancer drug off-label to treat retinal neovascularization...

Alacrity Biosciences has completed a Phase 2 clinical trial of ALTY-1501, an eye drop for the treatment of dry eye. Dry eye (or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) affects more than 10% of the US population and its incidence is increasing as baby boomers become senior citizens. Although the small...

Genentech is aiming to curb the off-label use of Avastin in favor of its blockbluster AMD drug Lucentis (which costs 50x more!).  These attempts will make it more difficult to prescribe Avastin and help them boost sales of Lucentis in the short term.  However, in the long term, Genentech is...