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Bausch + Lomb News
FDA Approves Bausch + Lomb Alaway® Preservative Free (Ketotifen Fumarate) Ophthalmic Solution, 0.035%
First OTC Preservative-Free Eye Drop Approved for the Treatment of Itchy Eyes Associated with
Allergies Provides Up to 12 Hours of Eye Itch Relief
Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health"), Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business, and Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ETON) announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Alaway® Preservative Free (ketotifen fumarate) ophthalmic solution, 0.035%, antihistamine eye drops (EM-100), as the first over-the-counter (OTC) preservative-free formulation eye drop approved to temporarily relieve itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander, which is one of the eye symptoms that affects approximately 80% of people with allergies.[1] Preservatives commonly used in eye drops can cause allergic reactions in some people that can lead to redness, irritation, itching or tearing.[2],[3]
"We're excited to add Alaway Preservative Free – the first and only OTC preservative-free formulation eye drop of its kind – to our existing Bausch + Lomb Consumer Health Care portfolio. Alaway Preservative Free can provide up to 12 hours of relief for people suffering from itchy eyes due to certain eye allergies," said Joe Gordon, U.S. president, Bausch + Lomb. "We expect Alaway Preservative Free will be available for purchase in the Spring of 2021 at major retailers in time for the start of allergy season."
Alaway® Preservative Free is indicated for the temporary relief of itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander in adults and children 3 years of age and older. It is formulated to relieve eye itch within minutes and can provide up to 12 hours of eye itch relief with one dose.
"We are pleased the FDA has approved Alaway Preservative Free, and we look forward to collaborating with Bausch + Lomb to bring this unique eye drop to patients suffering from itchy eyes associated with eye allergies," said Sean Brynjelsen, CEO, Eton Pharmaceuticals.
An affiliate of Bausch Health acquired the U.S. rights to Alaway Preservative Free from Eton in 2019.
[1] The 2018 U.S. Study of Allergies, Multi-sponsor Surveys, Inc. February 2018.
[2] Baudouin C. The Ocular Surface in Glaucoma, Cornea, Volume 28, Number 9, Suppl. 1, October 2009.
[3] Baudouin C. Allergic reaction to topical eye drops. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005;5:459–63.
Nielsen’s BASES Names Lumify® Eye Drops to 2020 U.S. Bases Top 25
Breakthrough Innovations List
LUMIFY® Recognized in the “Superstar” Category for Exceptional Sales and Growth
Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business, announces that BASES, a Nielsen Global Consumer business division, has named LUMIFY® (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025%) redness reliever eye drops to its 2020 U.S. BASES Top 25 Breakthrough Innovations List in the “Superstar” category for its success in driving sales and category growth. The Top 25 Breakthrough Innovations List has been the gold standard for nearly a decade in recognizing innovation and global success within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) space.
“We believe the continued growth and success we’ve seen with LUMIFY is the result of truly understanding the needs of the LUMIFY consumer - those who appreciate the opportunity to reduce eye redness to help their eyes appear whiter and brighter,” said Chris Marschall, vice president and general manager, U.S. Consumer Health Care, Bausch + Lomb. “It’s this understanding, coupled with the strong efficacy and safety profile that LUMIFY provides, that has helped make LUMIFY a ‘must-have’ product. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Nielsen for recognizing LUMIFY for this prestigious award.”
Since Bausch + Lomb first launched LUMIFY in 2018, these one of a kind OTC eye drops that contain low-dose brimonidine have become ingrained in popular culture through an ongoing surround-sound integrated consumer campaign highlighting their ability to significantly reduce redness to help eyes appear whiter, brighter and more radiant for up to eight hours when used as directed. As a result, LUMIFY has achieved the No. 1 dollar share among redness relievers (at 40% share in the latest 52 weeks),1 became the No. 1 eye doctor recommended brand within the first few months of launch,2 and brought in more than a million first-time users into the eye redness relieving category.3
“Our Superstar category celebrates the best of what marketers do to drive growth, and we selected LUMIFY based on its strong business performance in years one and two, and the success it had in growing a category through premiumization,” said Ben Macedo, BASES Leader, North America. “Bausch + Lomb successfully married a novel formulation with a fresh national marketing campaign that caught fire in the popular culture and on social media, spurring LUMIFY to capture the hearts of consumers.”
LUMIFY was also recently recognized in IRI’s 2019 New Product Pacesetters™ 25th annual report, which highlights the most successful new product launches across food and beverage, non-food and convenience store sectors. LUMIFY was named alongside nine other products in the non-food category for their ability to retain their unique, targeted appeal as niche products within mass-market outlets.
For more information on LUMIFY, visit www.lumifydrops.com. To view the full U.S. BASES Top 25 Breakthrough Innovations List, click here.
References:
1.Consumer Data Science: EDGE, Amazon, COSTCO Database, IRI, Total US MULO Data Ending 09-20-20.
2. Consumer Data Science: EDGE, Amazon, +IRI, Total US MULO Data Ending 09-06-20.
3. Consumer Data Science: IRI, Total US All Outlet Panel Data Ending 09-06-20.
Bausch Health And BHVI Announce Exclusive Global Licensing Agreement For Myopia Control Contact Lens
Second Exclusive License Strengthens Bausch + Lomb's Global Research Focus on Myopia
Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health") and Bausch + Lomb, its leading global eye health business, along with BHVI, an Australian not-for-profit organization with an international focus on vision research, announce that an affiliate of Bausch Health has acquired an exclusive license for a myopia control contact lens design developed by BHVI. Bausch + Lomb will pair BHVI's novel contact lens design with its leading contact lens technologies to develop potential contact lens treatments designed to slow the progression of myopia in children.
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is among the most common ocular disorders worldwide and is a leading cause of visual impairment in children.1 Studies have predicted that the global prevalence of myopia will rise from 28% of the world's population, or two billion people, in 2010 to 50% of the world's population, or five billion people, in 2050.2 In fact, uncorrected myopia is a leading cause of blindness worldwide.3
Bausch + Lomb is focused on finding global solutions to treat myopia. The company also announced earlier this week that one of its affiliates acquired an exclusive license from Eyenovia, Inc., in the United States and Canada for the development and commercialization of an investigational microdose formulation of atropine ophthalmic solution, which is being investigated for the reduction of pediatric myopia progression, also known as nearsightedness, in children ages 3-12.
"We are excited to leverage cutting-edge contact lens design technology from renowned ophthalmic research organization BHVI with our leading lens technologies so that we can research potential new treatment options for myopia, which continues to become more prevalent around the world," said Joseph C. Papa, chairman and CEO, Bausch Health. "As evidenced by both of our new exclusive licenses for different potential treatments for myopia, Bausch + Lomb remains committed to finding new approaches to treating this condition for as long as there is a need."
"For decades, BHVI has sought solutions to fulfill the unmet needs in the ophthalmic space by innovating commercially relevant technologies, including those specifically developed to help with myopia control," said Frank Back, chairman, BHVI. "Bausch + Lomb's long-standing position as a leader and innovator in eye health makes it the ideal choice for a partner, and we look forward to helping improve the vision of people with myopia around the world through their use of this contact lens design."
1. Mehta N, Wen A. Myopia: A Global Epidemic. Retina Today. September 2019.
2. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology 2016;123(5):1036–42.
3. Flaxman SR, Bourne RRA, Resnikoff S, et al. Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990–2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2017;5(12):e1221–e34.
