Global eye health company Bausch + Lomb announced earlier this week that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Modulight, Inc. to collaborate and develop a new laser specifically designed for use with Bausch + Lomb’s VISUDYNE® (verteporfin for injection) photodynamic therapy (PDT). Modulight, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacture of lasers and optics for personalized medicine.
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 the 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.
“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.”
Read the full news release from Bausch + Lomb.