Bausch and Lomb, a leading global eye health company, and Modulight, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of lasers and optics for personalized medicine, has announced the companies have entered into an exclusive agreement to collaborate and develop a new laser specifically designed for use with Bausch + Lomb’s VISUDYNE® (verteporfin for injection) photodynamic therapy (PDT).
“PDT continues to be an important option for eye care professionals who treat choroidal neovascularization in patients who suffer from persistent disease activity, but the availability of lasers capable of delivering this type of treatment in the industry has been limited,” said Tracy Valorie, senior vice president and general manager, U.S. Pharmaceuticals and Surgical, Bausch + Lomb. “We have entered this agreement with Modulight, an industry expert in developing medical laser technology, to provide customers a new laser system that is specifically designed for VISUDYNE and ultimately will allow more eligible patients to receive the treatment they need.”
VISUDYNE is an injectable photosensitizer drug that is indicated for the treatment of patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), pathologic myopia or presumed ocular histoplasmosis. VISUDYNE is activated through use of a photodynamic laser via direct laser excitation, delivering a targeted approach that specifically destroys abnormal choroidal blood vessels to help prevent further disease progression and help patients maintain their vision.¹
“Modulight works closely with healthcare companies to customize its broad portfolio of laser technology solutions to specifically address their needs,” said Seppo Orsila, executive chairman, Modulight.
“Bausch + Lomb has identified a significant need in the ophthalmic industry and we believe this is a great opportunity to develop a state-of-the-art photodynamic laser to allow customers to continue to provide this type of therapy for their patients. We look forward to a strong promising collaboration."
