B&L signs agreements with Pfizer and Santen

Pfizer and Bausch & Lomb are to co-promote their prescription eye drugs in the United States, allowing both companies to increase significantly the support for the products, according to a joint statement released by the companies.

The five-year agreement involves Pfizer's glaucoma drug, latanoprost (Xalatan), and three Bausch & Lomb products: loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.2% for conjunctivitis (Alrex); loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.5% for inflammatory conditions (Lotemax); and loteprednol etabonate 0.5% and tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic suspension (Zylet), which is a combined anti-inflammatory and anti-infective agent.

Bausch & Lomb's besifloxacin, an anti-infective eye drop under review by the FDA, is also included in the deal. Pfizer will continue to maintain three mid-stage ophthalmic development programs in its own pipeline.

Under the new agreement, the sales forces from both companies will promote Xalatan, Alrex, Lotemax, Zylet and, pending FDA approval (expected by B&L sometime this year), besifloxacin.

"Working in collaboration, our US sales organizations will now represent one of the broadest product offerings in the US ophthalmic market," said Flemming Ornskov, global president of pharmaceuticals at Bausch & Lomb.

In a separate agreement, Bausch & Lomb has also entered into a licensing agreement with Santen Pharmaceuticals and has obtained the rights to Santen's hydrophobic acrylic polymers. B & L will use these polymers to commercialize new intraocular lenses (IOLs) for sale worldwide, with the exception of Japan.

Financial terms of the deals have not been disclosed.