GLG News by Glaucoma Specialists (US)

Andrew DahlPresident Ophthalmology Consultants

Medicare is not a free lunch

June 1, 2011

Analysis of:Democrats Say Win in New York U.S. House Race Sends Message on Medicare | www.bloomberg.com

The New York 26th district congressional election results last week are being portrayed as a victory for those opposing the Ryan plan to provide varying (based on income)  amount of dollars to Medicare recipients for them to purchase health insurance under a competitive system within the insurance industry.  This plan would be voluntary for the next ten years, so that anyone 55 or older at present could remain in traditional Medicare for the rest of their lives..

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

CATT Study Results will NOT Drastically affect Lucentis (Genentech, Roche) Usage

May 9, 2011

Analysis of:Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration | www.nejm.org

The much anticipated CATT study revealed equal efficacy of both Lucentis and Avastin in the management of Age-related Macular Degeneration at one year.  Despite the dramatic cost differences in medications (40x fold), prescribing patterns for both Lucentis and Avastin are set and will not dramatically change.  Other developments this year may influence practice patterns more.

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Laser with Anti-VEGF Therapy maybe the New Standard for Diabetic Macular Edema.

May 3, 2010

Analysis of:Diabetic Macular Edema: Ranibizumab Injections Plus Laser Therapy Results in Dramatic Visual Improvement | www.sciencedaily.com

This large study by the National Eye Institute shows that combination laser therapy with Ranibizumab (Genentech, Roche) results in dramatic improvements in visual acuity in comparison to the gold standard treatment (laser alone) for diabetic macular edema (DME).  The bar has been raised for DME; and this could affect future therapies involving steroids that are in the pipeline for DME.

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Microplasmin may be a Less Invasive Therapeutic for Vitreoretinal Disorders.

April 21, 2010

Analysis of:ThromboGenics Announces that Microplasmin Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase III Trial for the Non-Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion | www.thrombogenics.com

ThromboGenics released Phase III Results showing that Microplasmin reached its primary endpoints of non-surgical resolution of focal vitreomacular adhesion.  This novel non-surgical therapeutic could be an alternative to the more invasive vitrectomy to treat a variety of retinal diseases from macular holes to diabetic retinopathy.

Andrew DahlPresident Ophthalmology Consultants

VEGF TRAP shows equal efficacy to Lucentis with longer duration of effect in DME

February 19, 2010

Analysis of:VEGF Trap-Eye Shows Positive Results in Phase II Study in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema | www.pipelinereview.com

Interim six month data from the DAVINCI clinical trial showed that monthly injections of intravitreal VEGF TRAP in patients with diabetic macular edema produced approximately a 10 letter increase in visual acuity. Patients dosed with 3 initial monthly injections followed as needed injections achieved a similar result. In this latter group, average number of injections in the second three months was 1.4.Injections were well tolerated without serious side effects. The study is continuing

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Iluvien (PSDV) could be a Novel Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema.

January 15, 2010

Analysis of:pSivida (PSDV) Reports Positive Iluvien FAME Phase III Results | www.streetinsider.com

Iluvien (pSivida) is a novel drug delivery technology which delivers an intraocular steroid to the back of the eye for up to three years.  The Phase III data show that at 24 months Iluvien is an effective treatment in the management of diabetic macular edema.  In addition to focal laser, Iluvien could be the next therapeutic for diabetic macular edema.

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Ozurdex (AGN) may be a Big Loser for Vein Occlusion Management.

January 13, 2010

Analysis of:FDA Approval of Ozurdex Introduces a New Generation of Drug Delivery Therapy | www.drugs.com

Ozurdex (Allergan) was approved last summer as the first treatment for macular edema for central retinal vein occlusions.  It utilized a novel drug delivery technology to prolong delivery of a steroid.  However, recent results of the SCORE study and initial results from the CRUISE and BRAVO Trials (Genentech) are more impressive.  The SCORE Study shows similiar efficacy at a fraction of the cost while the BRAVO and CRUISE Trials results are significantly better.

Andrew DahlPresident Ophthalmology Consultants

Lumigan X EU Committee Recomendation

October 27, 2009

Analysis of:EU committee backs marketing approval of Lumigan | www.pharmabiz.com

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Union has recommended granting a Marketing Authorization for a new version of Allergan's Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution). This new version will be marketed as Lumigan-X after approval. Lumigan X offers Allergan a new formulation to compete against generic versions of its glaucoma drug Lumigan after patent protection for Lumigan expires shortly.There will be very limited demand for Lumigan-X.

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Promising Eye Drop for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

April 15, 2009

Analysis of:Eye drop treatment for dry AMD shows promise in Phase 2 trial | www.othera.com

Othera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive interim data results from its Phase 2 trial of OT-551 in treating geographic atrophy (GA) in dry AMD. OT-551 is a topically-dosed, patented small molecule that acts on oxidative stress and disease-induced inflammation. The 12-month findings from the two-year trial suggest an emerging trend for reducing moderate vision loss in 137 patients with GA who were treated with OT-551 compared with placebo.

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Alcon's Potential New Glaucoma Treatment: Anecortave Acetate.

April 5, 2009

Analysis of:Arch Ophthalmol -- Abstract: Reduction of Intraocular Pressure With Anecortave Acetate in Eyes With Ocular Steroid Injection-Related Glaucoma, February 2009, Robin et al. 127 (2): 173 | archopht.ama-assn.org

Alcon (ACL) is working on an intriguing new treatment modality for glaucoma.  Unlike previous drops that require daily dosing, this medication only needs to be given every three months. This small case series reports promising results where anecortave acetate lowers intraocular pressure in steroid induced ocular hypertension.

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