Alcon
HUENENBERG, Switzerland, Mar 29, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Alcon
(NYSE:ACL),
the world's leader in eye care, announced today that it received
regulatory approval and finalized the acquisition of the rights in the
United States for DUREZOL(TM) emulsion and the global rights, excluding
Latin America, for ZYCLORIN(TM) from Sirion Therapeutics, Inc. Alcon will
immediately assume all marketing, promotion and sales of DUREZOL(TM).
Management said that it is continuing to evaluate options to acquire
ZIRGAN(TM), an antiviral recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of
acute herpetic keratitis (corneal ulcers).
DUREZOL(TM) emulsion is a topical ophthalmic corticosteroid used to treat
postoperative inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery and
received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in
2008. Currently under clinical investigation to treat dry eye and other
ocular surface diseases, ZYCLORIN(TM) is a topical ophthalmic
immunomodulator and immunosuppressive agent.
"This acquisition reinforces our ability to drive growth in the
near-term with the acquisition of DUREZOL(TM) and add products to our
long-term research pipeline with ZYCLORIN(TM)," said Stuart Raetzman, vice
president, Global Marketing and area president for the United States.
"Durezol's unique capability to effectively and quickly treat both
inflammation and pain following ocular surgery makes it a great fit for
Alcon's leading product portfolio."
About Ocular Inflammation
Cataracts and glaucoma affect more than 24 million people age 40 and
older in the United States. Many of these people seek surgical treatment
for these and other eye conditions. Corticosteroids and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used after eye surgery to manage
postoperative pain and inflammation. Complications can occur if
inflammation is left untreated and can interfere with a patient's visual
rehabilitation.
About DUREZOL(TM)
DUREZOL(TM) (difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% is a topical
ophthalmic corticosteroid for the treatment of postoperative
inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery. DUREZOL(TM) received
approval from the FDA in 2008 and was the first ophthalmic steroid to be
approved for both postoperative inflammation and pain. Clinical trials
demonstrated that DUREZOL(TM) reduced ocular pain and inflammation rapidly
and effectively for patients following ocular surgery.
DUREZOL(TM) emulsion is a difluorinated derivative of prednisolone
with a recommended dosing regimen of one drop four times daily beginning
24 hours after surgery and continuing throughout the first two weeks of
the postoperative period, followed by two times daily for a week and
then tapering off thereafter based on the response.
The most common ocular adverse reactions occurring in 5-15% of subjects
in clinical studies with DUREZOL(TM) emulsion included corneal edema,
ciliary and conjunctival hyperemia, eye pain, photophobia, posterior
capsule opacification, anterior chamber cells, anterior chamber flare,
conjunctival edema and blepharitis.
About ZYCLORIN(TM)
ZYCLORIN(TM) (cyclosporine) is a topical ophthalmic immunomodulator and
immunosuppressive agent. ZYCLORIN(TM) is an investigational drug and is not
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is being studied
for the treatment of ocular surface diseases, including dry eye, which
affects millions of Americans.
About Alcon
Alcon, Inc. is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of
approximately $6.5 billion in 2009. Alcon, which has been dedicated to
the ophthalmic industry for 65 years, researches, develops, manufactures
and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contacts
lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases,
disorders and other conditions of the eye. Alcon operates in 75
countries and sells products in 180 markets. For more information on
Alcon, Inc., visit the Company's web site at www.alcon.com.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This press
release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.Any
forward-looking statements reflect the views of our management as of the
date of this press release with respect to future events and are based
on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these
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publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements,
whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or
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