Eyevance Pharmaceuticals Acquires Exclusive Rights to Commercialize Flarex in the United States
Eyevance Pharmaceuticals announced the acquisition of Flarex (fluorometholone acetate ophthalmic suspension) 0.1% from Novartis AG. Flarex, approved in the United States, is indicated for the treatment of steroid responsive inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, and anterior segment of the eye.
“The acquisition of Flarex escalates Eyevance’s mission to service important needs in the eye care market,” Jerry St. Peter, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Eyevance, said in a company news release. “With over nine million corticosteroids prescribed annually, at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% over the past five years, this large and invaluable therapeutic category provides Eyevance a tremendous opportunity with Flarex. Corticosteroids are very important options for clinicians when treating ocular inflammation. Flarex is a proven, well-accepted treatment for multiple ocular inflammatory conditions. Accordingly, it will become a valuable addition to our existing product portfolio, which includes several impactful products for conditions of the anterior segment.”
“As a cornea, cataract and LASIK specialist, the need for topical corticosteroids is critical within my patient population,” Neda Shamie, MD at Maloney – Shamie Vision Institute, Los Angeles, said in the news release. “It is exciting to see Eyevance acquire Flarex, as its broad label and indication to treat many anterior segment and ocular surface inflammatory conditions is a needed and welcomed addition in my therapeutic armamentarium.”
The purchase of Flarex marks another important milestone for the Eyevance team, who recently acquired exclusive rights to several ophthalmic products and product candidates in the United States and/or globally. Eyevance’s growing portfolio consists of Zerviate cetirizine ophthalmic suspension 0.24%, (acquired in September 2017 from Nicox Ophthalmics), Freshkote Preservative Free Tear Lubricant line (acquired in September 2018 from Focus Laboratories), and Nexagon (acquired in October 2018 from OcuNexus).
As part of the company’s commercial strategy, Eyevance will be attending the upcoming American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois from October 27-30, 2018 and the American Academy of Optometry (AAOpt) annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas from November 7-10, 2018. Interested eye care practitioners are welcome to visit Eyevance at AAO Booth #2869 or AAOpt Booth #1020 to learn more.