Bausch + Lomb Acquires Blink OTC Eye Drops from J&J Vision
The latest in a string of major moves by Bausch + Lomb, the company announced it is purchasing the Blink product line of eye and contact lens drops from Johnson & Johnson Vision for $106.5 million in cash.
The acquisition, made through an affliate, expands the company's over-the-counter (OTC) product portfolio in eye care. The Blink portfolio of eye drops consists of a variety of eye drops and contact lens rewetting drops that aim to provide immediate and long-lasting symptom relief. The products that are part of the acquisition include the following:
- Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops
- Blink Tears Preservative Free Lubricating Eye Drops
- Blink GelTears Lubricating Eye Drops
- Blink Triple Care Lubricating Eye Drops
- Blink Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops
- Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops
“There’s a growing need for relieving the symptoms of dry eyes and dry contact lenses, and OTC products are often the first option consumers choose,” John Ferris, executive vice president, Consumer, Bausch + Lomb, said in a company news release. “The addition of Blink expands our robust portfolio of OTC eye care brands, enabling us to provide more choices for consumers and eye care professionals.”
The deal comes less than a week after Bausch + Lomb entered into a definitive to acquire dry eye drug Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5%) from Novartis in a deal worth up to $2.5 billion, including an upfront payment of $1.75 billion in cash. Xiidra is a non-steroid eye drop specifically approved to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) focusing on inflammation associated with dry eye.
In May, Bausch + Lomb, in partnership with Novaliq, received FDA approval for Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution; formerly known as NOV03) for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). The comapnies say Miebo is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for DED that directly targets tear evaporation.
Brent Saunders, an executive well-known for being an active dealmaker throughout his career, returned to Bausch + Lomb as CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors in February.
More information about Blink eye drops can be found at www.justblink.com.
