Industry News

Alcon Acquires Hydrus MIGS Stent Maker

Alcon reported it completed its acquisition of Ivantis®, the developer of the Hydrus® Microstent. The company noted that Ivantis associates, including manufacturing and sales, are immediately integrated into Alcon to ensure continuity for new and existing customers. The company says it plans to bring the Hydrus Microstent to more international markets and prioritize its ongoing evidence-based research.

“We believe this transaction will further strengthen our global surgical portfolio and help provide a platform for more growth in the glaucoma space. As we welcome Ivantis associates into Alcon, we look forward to introducing Hydrus Microstent on a broader, global scale in the near future to help even more patients see brilliantly,” said David Endicott, CEO of Alcon, in a press release.

Recent conference reports of the five-year HORIZON study results demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant clinical benefits over the full five years, including sustained reduction in medication use and the need for invasive secondary glaucoma surgery. The safety profile was also sustained through the five-year follow-up, the company says.

“The visual field data recently showcased at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting showed Hydrus Microstent as the first MIGS device to demonstrate a reduced rate of visual field loss compared to cataract surgery alone,” said Ike Ahmed MD, FRCSC, University of Toronto, Canada, in a press statement.178x130 AAFF.pdf 3 26/07/2021 8:53:05

CONTINUED GROWTH PROJECTED IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

Industry consulting firm Research and Markets released a new forecast predicting the next five years in the ophthalmology marketplace. The study reports the size of the global ophthalmology market estimated at USD 52.07 billion in 2020, was expected to reach USD 55.28 billion in 2021, COVID notwithstanding. The firm projects the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.52% to reach USD 81.05 billion by 2027.

In another study, the US-based Refractive Surgery Council (RSC) reported US laser vision correction procedure volume for the third quarter of 2021 at 190,911, marking a year-to-date increase of 48 percent over 2020. This was the top-performing third quarter since RSC began tracking LASIK, SMILE, and PRK procedures in 2015.

“Most refractive surgeons offer more than one laser vision correction procedure because while one particular procedure may not be the right option for a given patient, that patient may be a terrific candidate for an alternative procedure,” said Richard Lindstrom MD, founder and attending surgeon emeritus, Minnesota Eye Consultants.

RSC’s procedure volume report is based on utilization data gathered from the industry’s leading refractive device manufacturers, providing a valuable market performance indicator for the sector.