Business Wire
Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) announced today that the Ministry of Health,
Labor and Welfare in Japan has approved TRAVATANZ
™
(travoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.004% for the treatment of glaucoma
and ocular hypertension. TRAVATANZ
™ solution
is the first prostaglandin analogue that is free of benzalkonium
chloride (BAC), a commonly used preservative in topical ocular
medications. Research suggests that chronic use of ophthalmic solutions
containing BAC could negatively affect the ocular surface. Because
glaucoma and ocular hypertension are chronic ocular conditions requiring
daily treatment, Alcon developed TRAVATANZ
™ as
a BAC-free version of its glaucoma therapy, TRAVATAN
®
solution. TRAVATANZ
™ has the same
enduring efficacy as original TRAVATAN
®
which is marketed around the world. TRAVATANZ
™
was approved as TRAVATAN Z
®
in the United States in 2006.
“TRAVATANZ™
provides doctors with a new treatment option that may address an unmet
need of many glaucoma patients, a prostaglandin analogue without
benzalkonium chloride,” said Mr. Yoshiaki
Kitazawa, M.D., Ph.D and director, Akasaka Kitazawa Eye Clinic.
“We are pleased that this approval will allow
Alcon Japan to make a contribution to the treatment of glaucoma by
providing an effective new therapy for patients suffering from this
degenerative condition,” said Tom Dooley
president and representative director of Alcon Japan. “Given
Japan’s position as the world’s
second largest glaucoma market, we anticipate that TRAVATANZ™
will be an important contributor to our future growth.”
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma, a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s
optic nerve, is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The
onset of glaucoma often occurs with no symptoms, but if it remains
untreated, gradual loss of peripheral vision may ensue. When diagnosed
early, glaucoma can be treated with medicines, laser trabeculoplasty,
conventional surgery, or a combination of therapeutic options. While
remaining vision may be preserved through treatment, there is currently
no cure for glaucoma and lost vision cannot be restored.
About Alcon
Alcon, Inc. is the world's leading eye care company with sales of $4.4
billion in 2005. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic
industry for more than 60 years, develops, manufactures and markets
pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens care
solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders
and other conditions of the eye. For more information on Alcon, Inc.,
visit the Company's Web site at www.alcon.com.