Allergan to acquire Forsight Vision5 for $95 million

Allergan says it plans to buy the Silicon Valley developer of an innovative alternative to glaucoma eye drops, a sustained-release bimatoprost insert.

The insert is a preservative-free periocular ring containing 13 mg bimatoprost mixed into a silicone-matrix polymer that elutes into the tear film at a descending dose over 6 months. The soft ring is inserted under the eyelid by an ophthalmologist in a noninvasive, in-office procedure, and is manufactured in diameters ranging from 24 to 29 mm.

Results of a phase 2 double-masked, randomized, controlled trial published in the August 2016 issue of Ophthalmology shows that the ring is as effective as twice-daily timolol eye drops, reducing IOP in open-angle glaucoma patients by approximately 20% over 6 months.

Of 130 patients, 15 experienced a total of 28 dislodgements, including 1 patient who experienced 7 incidents. Most subjects said the inserts were comfortable. While adverse events were higher in the insert group, most were deemed mild to moderate.

"A safe and effective extra-ocular drug delivery therapeutic option is particularly suitable for the many patients with mild-to-moderate glaucomatous disease in whom more invasive modalities may not be ideal from a risk/benefit standpoint," said Dr. Kuldev Singh, professor of ophthalmology and director of the glaucoma service at Stanford University.

The transaction is expected to be completed within 60 days.