EW Weekly, January 11, 2019
- Phase 2 topline results announced for netarsudil in a Japanese-American population
- Eye tracking test to detect concussion receives marketing authorization by the FDA
- CooperVision acquires Blanchard Contact Lenses
- In-licensing of Phase 2 anti-TNF alpha antibody fragment for dry eye announced
- Acquisition of Shire Pharmaceuticals by Takeda complete
- Two agents from EyePoint on fast track for commercial launch this quarter
- First patient treated with Oxervate for neurotrophic keratitis
- Inveltys launched by Kala
- 2019 ASCRS/ASOA Annual Meeting real-time program now available
Phase 2 topline results announced for netarsudil in a Japanese-American population
Eye tracking test to detect concussion receives marketing authorization by the FDA
CooperVision acquires Blanchard Contact Lenses
In-licensing of Phase 2 anti-TNF alpha antibody fragment for dry eye announced
Two agents from EyePoint on fast track for commercial launch this quarter
Inveltys launched by Kala
2019 ASCRS/ASOA Annual Meeting real-time program now available
*Must have current membership to attend the Annual Meeting.
**Does not include Skills Transfer Labs.
Research briefs
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of AMD, according to Johanna Colijn, MD, and coresearchers, in their pooled analysis of cross-sectional data. They used 30,953 individuals over age 50 from the European Eye Epidemiology consortium and 1,530 individuals from the Rotterdam Study to analyze blood lipid measurements, genetics, medication, and other factors. Although HDL was associated with an increased risk of AMD, triglycerides were negatively associated with AMD. Having a higher HDL increased the odds of larger drusen, and higher triglycerides decreased the odds. There was statistical significance with LDL only in association with early AMD (P=0.045). It is not yet clear if systemic lipids directly influence AMD or represent lipid metabolism in the retina, the researchers concluded. The study is published in Ophthalmology.
- Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) may be less common in female than male patients, but its presence in females could significantly affect the rate of intraop events and affect the final visual outcome, reported Argyrios Tzamalis, MD, and coresearchers. Their comparative, retrospective, case-control study included 3,811 cataract eyes (3,213 patients) with recorded IFIS of any severity over a 4-year period that had phaco. There was IFIS in 25 eyes (1.29%); the incidence of IFIS was higher in males. Alpha1-receptor blockers were used in 72.2% of males and in none of the females with IFIS. The rate of posterior capsule rupture was significantly higher in 7 of the 25 female IFIS cases (28%) compared with 9 (9.28%) of the 97 male IFIS cases (P=.02). Posterior capsule rupture incidence and final corrected distance visual acuity correlated with IFIS severity grade only in females (P<.001 and P=.02, respectively). The research is published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
- Medical marketing and direct-to-consumer advertising in particular increased substantially between 1997 and 2016, according to a review by Lisa Schwartz, MD, and coresearchers. They found that spending in medical marketing grew from $17.7 billion to $29.9 billion overall and that direct-to-consumer advertising increased from $2.1 billion of total spending to $9.6 billion of total spending. Direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising grew from $1.3 billion (79,000 ads) to $6 billion (4.6 million ads, including 663,000 TV commercials), with a larger focus on biologic drugs and cancer immunotherapies. There were increases in disease awareness campaigns and laboratory tests such as genetic testing. Marketing to healthcare professionals also grew, including prescriber detailing, free samples, and direct physician payments. Regulatory oversight remains limited, the researchers added. The study appears in JAMA.
This issue of EyeWorld Weekly Update was edited by Amy Goldenberg and Vanessa Caceres.
EyeWorld Weekly Update (ISSN 1089-0319), a digital publication of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators, is published every Friday, distributed by email, and posted live on Friday.
Medical Editors: Eric Donnenfeld, MD, chief medical editor; Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, cataract editor; Clara Chan, MD, cornea editor; Nathan Radcliffe, MD, glaucoma editor; and Vance Thompson, MD, refractive editor.
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