Bausch + Lomb (a leading global eye health company focused on helping people see better to live better) announced an affiliate has acquired Whitecap Biosciences, which is currently developing two therapies for potential use in glaucoma and geographic atrophy (GA). This acquisition strengthens Bausch + Lomb’s expanding clinical-stage pipeline.
Whitecap Biosciences was launched in 2015 to develop novel therapies for ophthalmic diseases with a focus on glaucoma, GA and other serious eye diseases. The company completed Phase 2 clinical trials for WB007, a highly potent alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, in glaucoma. And additional clinical trials are planned for both glaucoma and GA.
Glaucoma is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease that occurs when excessive eye pressure or other causes lead to damage of the optic nerve. And as one of the leading causes of preventable blindness, glaucoma affects about millions of people in the US, but if caught early it is possible to help slow and potentially prevent vision loss. GA, also known as advanced dry age-related macular degeneration, affects many people in the U.S.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re focused on finding treatments that address unmet needs or significantly improve upon the current standard of care. Glaucoma and geographic atrophy are two areas where we believe that dramatic improvement is possible. Whitecap Biosciences’ investigational medicines show real promise when it comes to slowing vision loss and perhaps even improving vision for patients with glaucoma, which would be a long-overdue breakthrough.”
– Yehia Hashad, MD, chief medical officer and executive vice president, Research & Development, Bausch + Lomb
“Glaucoma and geographic atrophy can cause severe vision loss, with many patients experiencing progressive deterioration. By joining a global leader like Bausch + Lomb, we hope Whitecap’s assets will be developed into effective treatments that improve visual outcomes for patients.”
– Scott Whitcup, MD, a founder and former chief executive officer, Whitecap Biosciences
