Théa to Acquire Branded Ophthalmic Products from Akorn

France-based pharmaceutical company Théa announced an agreement to purchaseseven branded ophthalmic products from Akorn.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

The purchase will add seven brands, including Akorn’s glaucoma therapy, Zioptan, to Théa’s portfolio, thus expands its presence in the US eye care market. Théa will also welcome Akorn’s nearly 50-person sales force, which Théa expects to expand in support of anticipated growth and launches of additional products in the US.

“The significance of this milestone purchase can be felt across our entire organization, which has been operating for 28 years and is a driving force for treatment in eye care with products available in 75 countries,” Théa’s President Jean-Frédéric Chibret said in a company news release. “As a fifth-generation member of a family that has spent more than150 years dedicated to eye care, I’m always excited to extend Théa’s unique expertise and passion into new markets, where our goal is to improve patient quality of life by providing innovative offerings across a full range of therapeutic areas, including glaucoma, dry eye, allergy and inflammation.”

Théa will add the following Akorn branded products to its portfolio:

• Zioptan (tafluprost ophthalmic solution), a prostaglandin analog indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
• AcellFX (acellular amniotic membrane), which provides a protective environment or covering for repair to the ocular surface.
• Betimol (timolol ophthalmic solution), indicated in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open angle glaucoma.
• Cosopt (dorzolamide HCl and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution), indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension that is insufficiently responsive to beta blockers.
• Cosopt PF (dorzolamide HCl and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution), indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension that is insufficiently responsive to beta blockers.
• AzaSite (azithromycin ophthalmic solution), a macrolide antibiotic indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible isolates of certain microorganisms; and
• Akten (lidocaine HCl ophthalmic gel), a local anesthetic indicated for ocular surface anesthesia during ophthalmologic procedures.

Théa expects to file its first new drug application (NDA) with the FDA in the first quarter of 2022 for a version of the glaucoma treatment latanoprost. At the end of the first quarter of 2022, Théa also plans to launch a new line of branded OTC evidenced-based dry-eye drops and eyelid hygiene products through its partnership with Similasan Corporation. Similasan is the No. 1 global maker of eye drops with natural active ingredients and offers around 40 homeopathic remedies in the US, according to Théa.

“We are thrilled to expand our presence in the U.S. eye care community with a portfolio of products that are widely recognized and frequently used because they make a difference in patients’ lives,” said Susan Benton, Théa’s General Manager, Head of U.S. “As we introduce additional product lines and bring new innovations to market through our dedicated research and development programs, we are looking forward to engaging with stakeholders to expand our leadership presence on a global scale”.

Théa expects the transaction to close in the first quarter of 2022.