INTRODUCING THÉA PHARMA CANADACREATING A PRESERVATIVE-FREE GENERATION

THÉA PHARMA CANADA IS A YOUNG COMPANY THAT HAS SET ITS SIGHTS ON BRINGING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE to how Canadian ophthalmologists, optometrists and patients see and experience the future of evidencebased eyecare. Along with bringing a portfolio of innovative preservative-free treatments and novel delivery systems, Théa Pharma Canada is focused on making its products accessible and cost-effective so that all patients can see the world through healthy eyes.

The Canadian subsidiary of Laboratoires Théa (Théa), Europe’s leading, pioneering, and innovative eye health brand, Théa Pharma Canada recently completed a successful five-year joint venture with Labtician Ophthalmics. With the goal of becoming Canada’s leading provider of preservativefree eye care solutions, Théa Pharma Canada is poised to expand its presence, relationships, and portfolio with novel and effective treatments for the many eye conditions affecting Canadians.

Leading the worldwide preservative-free movement in eye care is a key differentiator for Théa, and prominently factors into the important conversation of why preservative-free products are preferred in eyecare. That dialogue is driven by Théa’s global mission to create new ways to treat eye diseases for which there are no existing treatments, improving current ocular therapies through better efficacy and innovative delivery systems, simplifying current procedures, and improving safety by reducing adverse effects.

“I am honoured to spearhead Théa Pharma Canada’s team of dedicated professionals as we continue our growth trajectory in Canada.” said General Manager Fiona McCloskey. “Among our strengths is being an entrepreneurial company with deep roots in the field of eyecare and the bench strength of a global but independently owned organization that stands at the forefront of the industry. We are ready to bring all this world-class knowledge to partners and patients from coast to coast.”

Théa Pharma Canada’s entrepreneurial approach is part of a largely untold but storied 150-year-old history through five generations of the Chibret Family. Théa, a global family run, and operated organization based in France, is the undisputed pioneer and world leader in preservative-free eyecare solutions. Théa is the leading independent European pharmaceutical group, that is 100% dedicated to eyecare, with global revenues in 2021 of approximately $773 million. Based in ClermontFerrand, France, the company has 35 affiliates & offices in Europe, North and South America, North Africa, and the Middle East, a network of more than 1,600 employees, and product distribution in 75 countries around the world.

This global power is how Théa Pharma Canada will now bring innovation, education, and partnership excellence to Canada with a 100% focus on the eye health portfolio. Sharing knowledge across the industry, especially with the younger generation of ophthalmologists and optometrists, will further assure the continuity of innovation and best practice.

The notion of preservatives is nothing new – they are contained in many of the foods we eat and the products we use around the house, from household cleaners to cosmetics. Preservatives can also be found in most eyecare medication, such as eyedrops. These preservatives are potentially toxic to the surface of the eye, causing unwanted side effects that can compromise the patients’ well-being.

We didn’t always feel this way about preservatives, and they can be credited with enabling progress to be made in numerous industries. The industrial manufacture of eye drops, more easily contaminated than ointments, was transformed by the introduction of preservatives. At that time, Théa was concerned about the serious problem of microbial contamination and was the first to add a mercurial derivate to eye drops, followed a decade later by benzalkonium chloride or BAK, now the most commonly used preservative in eye drops around the world. Théa also pioneered the use of an “after-opening use-by” date, which was welcomed by regulators to ensure the highest level of quality and safety for patients. While the use of these preservatives had the desired effects of keeping the muchneeded medications sterile, it was eventually found to be harmful to the ocular surface with long-term use.

Over the course of decades, the link between the use of preservatives and certain irritative and inflammatory reactions of the ocular surface was scientifically established, leading to major advancements in treating eye diseases. Again, taking the lead, Théa launched the first ever preservative-free multi-dose bottle, the ABAK® system, which preserved the sterility of the bottle contents through a filter membrane for up to 6 months after opening.

The growing awareness of the toxicity of preservatives among eye care professionals and the scientific communities, led to new alternatives to manage the ocular surface of patients treated with repeated doses of ocular medications. Today, what this means for Canadians and for the healthcare professionals who treat eye diseases, is having a company such as Théa on the ground that is faithfully dedicated to following the science, developing new preservative-free formulations and delivery systems, and actively contributing to education and best practices.

Given the abundance of preserved eyecare products on the market, it is valuable to understand how preservativefree formulations perform versus their preserved counterparts. Numerous clinical studies have shown that preservative-free eyedrops have the same effectiveness as preserved ones. In addition, the benefits of non-preserved eyedrops include less inflammation on the eye surface, and reduced symptoms of dry eye such as irritation, stinging, burning and redness. These benefits lead to better tolerance of the product, and as a result, better compliance with treatment, improved outcomes and better surgical prognosis in the case of eye surgery, especially for glaucoma.

Théa Pharma Canada’s current portfolio includes products for dry eye (Thealoz Duo®, Thealoz Duo® Gel, Hyabak®, Thealoz™), lid hygiene (Blephaclean®, Blephagel® Duo), glaucoma (Monoprost®), and allergy (Zaditor®). Théa Pharma Canada has plans to launch several products over the next 12-18 months, including the recently Health Canada approved Eyezirgan® for the treatment of ocular herpes simplex keratitis, Zaspray® for the treatment of dry eye associated with allergy, Duokopt®, a combination product for the treatment of glaucoma, and other products in their lid hygiene range.

With a robust product pipeline, Théa Pharma Canada is fully committed to becoming a vocal advocate for preservative-free eye health, but even more so, to be an active contributor to the eye health industry and working closely with the Canadian eye care community to protect and promote the eye health of all Canadians.