Bausch + Lomb to Acquire Xiidra from Novartis:
What is Xiidra?
Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% is a non-steroidal prescription eye drop used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). The most common side effects of Xiidra include eye irritation, discomfort or blurred vision when the drops are applied to the eyes, and an unusual taste sensation.
What Does This Mean for Patients with Dry Eye Disease?
Bausch + Lomb has announced that it will acquire Xiidra from Novartis.
The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2023. Once the acquisition is complete, Bausch + Lomb will become the leading provider of dry eye treatments in the United States.
For patients with DED, this acquisition means that they will have access to a wider range of treatment options. Xiidra is a different type of treatment than other available dry eye drops, so it may be a good option for some people who have not responded to other treatments.
In addition, the acquisition will likely lead to increased research and development of new dry eye treatments. Bausch + Lomb has a strong track record of developing innovative eye care products, and the acquisition of Xiidra will give the company even more resources to invest in dry eye research.
Overall, the acquisition of Xiidra by Bausch + Lomb is a positive development for patients with DED. It will give patients more treatment options and increase the likelihood of new dry eye treatments being developed in the future.
Xiidra and Australia: Discontinued, but there is new hope now!
Lifitegrast (Xiidra®) was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in 2019 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe dry eye disease in adults where use of conventional lubricants has been insufficient in managing the condition.
Novartis issued a notice in 2022 that they would be ceasing commercialization in Australia and would no longer offer Xiidra to new patients through the TGA SAS or Authorized Prescriber Scheme.
However, with Bausch + Lomb taking over, there is new hope that Xiidra will be available in Australia in the near future.
Important safety information
Do not use Xiidra if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Seek medical care immediately if you get any symptoms of an allergic reaction.
It is not known if Xiidra is safe and effective in children under 17 years of age.
Here are some additional details about the acquisition:
- Bausch + Lomb will pay Novartis $1.75 billion in cash upfront, with potential milestone payments up to $750 million.
- The acquisition is expected to add about $500 million in annual revenue to Bausch + Lomb.
- Bausch + Lomb plans to retain the Xiidra sales force and continue to market and distribute the product.
Reference: Bausch + Lomb Press Release
