Bromfenac to come to Europe

Bromfenac ophthalmic solution will come to Europe when it comes to market thanks to a co-promotion between Bausch & Lomb and CROMA Pharma.

Used to treat post-op ocular inflammation and pain after cataract surgery the drug is expected to be the first non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of its kind in Europe that will be approved for twice-daily dosing.

Bromfenac is already in use in the US and Japan but has been submitted to the European Medicines Agency for central approval across the EU.

In press statement Bausch & Lomb's Charl van Zyl, vice president, Pharmaceuticals, Europe, Middle East and Africa Region said: “We are enthusiastic about the collaboration with CROMA, as we look forward to making bromfenac available in a large number of markets to support the unmet needs of patients and physicians alike.”

CROMA licensed European development rights to bromfenac in November 2005 from Japanese drug maker Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Under the terms of this subsequent collaboration agreement, the Bausch & Lomb subsidiaries gain the rights to sell bromfenac (pending EMEA approval) in all European Union member states plus Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.

“Having a pharmaceutical in our portfolio that was indicated for postoperative prophylaxis was a must in order to enlarge our complete offering to ophthalmic surgeons. Now, given Bausch & Lomb's pan-regional sales and marketing reach and its considerable brand equity, I believe this new partnership puts bromfenac in the best possible position to benefit patients in the European market,” said Andreas Prinz, managing director, CROMA.

CROMA will market bromfenac together with Bausch & Lomb in Austria, France, Poland, Romania and Spain. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.