Alcon to Acquire Swiss Biotech Company
"Biotechnology offers significant growth opportunities in ophthalmology because it has the potential to deliver therapies with superior efficacy and safety relative to existing approaches," said Sabri Markabi, M.D., Alcon's senior vice president of research and development and chief medical officer. "Combining ESBATech's proprietary antibody fragment technology with our expertise in ophthalmic formulation and capabilities in global development will strengthen Alcon's leadership position in ophthalmology."
ESBATech has advanced its antibody fragment technology to preclinical and clinical stages in the eye for various diseases. The company has several stable and soluble single-chain antibody fragments in development, with its most advanced product candidate progressed into Phase I and II studies relating to the treatment of inflammatory ocular diseases.
This acquisition follows Alcon's recent announcement of a collaborative agreement with AstraZeneca.
Allergan Receives FDA Warning Letter
B&L, Shutterfly Sponsor Photo Contest
Entries will be judged on the following criteria: originality, creativity and appropriateness to the theme of "summer activity." Winners will be selected by Bausch & Lomb, Shutterfly and Betawave, Shutterfly's media sales partner.
The Eye on Summer Fun contest is part of Bausch & Lomb's larger effort to show U.S. consumers the many benefits of wearing daily disposable contact lenses. For more information, official rules and to enter the Eye on Summer Funcontest, visit www.soflens.com or www.SofLensSummer.Shutterfly.com.
Offer your patients all-day comfort that won't blink away
Additional Information
1. Data on file. Johnson & Johnson, 2008.
ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses are indicated for vision correction. As with any contact lens, eye problems, including corneal ulcers, can develop. Some wearers may experience mild irritation, itching or discomfort. Lenses should not be prescribed if patients have any eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. Consult the package insert for complete information. Complete information is also available from VISTAKON, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., by calling 1-800-843-2020 or by visiting jnjvisioncare.com.
ACUVUE, 1DAY ACUVUE MOIST, LACREON, and VISTAKON are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Other brand names/product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2009.
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Companies Combine Forces for Drug Development
Pieris is developing Anticalins for the treatment of a variety of disorders. Anticalins are a novel class of biologic drugs that are engineered to bind disease-relevant targets with high affinity and specificity. They are based on naturally occurring proteins called lipocalins, which are present in human plasma and body fluids where they function to bind, store and transport various small molecules including lipids and hormones.
Anticalins possess multiple distinguishing features, including an inherently high degree of stability. Anticalins benefit from their small size (20kDa) and are produced in micro-organisms, thus conferring a significant cost advantage to the production of the therapeutic agent.
Children at Risk for Undetected Vision Problems
Key findings include: nine states do not require children to receive a vision assessment before starting school; of the 39 states (including D.C.) which require a vision screening for children entering school, 32 do not mandate any follow-up care for children who fail the screening; and only three states require all children to receive a comprehensive eye exam by an eyecare professional before entering elementary school.
To view the report and an interactive map of the country, showing current vision assessment requirements, visit http://www.thevisioncouncil.org.
Lens Storage Expands Offerings
For more information visit www.thelensden.com.
Abstract: Recent Causes of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Researchers concluded the results suggest that the major current risk factors for SCH are trauma and contact-lens-induced injury in younger patients, while hypertension is the main factor in older patients. The incidence of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis was decreased.
Mimura T, Usui T, Yamagami S et al. Recent Causes of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage. Ophthalmologica 2009;224:133-137
Editor's Commentary: Don't Stop at the Abstract, Keep Reading
Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO
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