Santen purchases ophthalmic assets from Merck

Article

Santen Pharmaceutical recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Merck & Co. to purchase Merck's ophthalmology products-Cosopt (dorzolamide/timolol), Cosopt PF, Trusopt (dorzolamide), Trusopt PF, Timoptic (timolol maleate ophthalmic solution), Timoptic PF, Timoptic XE (timolol maleate ophthalmic gel), Saflutan (tafluprost), and Taptiqom(tafluprost timolol)-in Japan, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Osaka, Japan-Santen Pharmaceutical recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Merck & Co. to purchase Merck's ophthalmology products-Cosopt (dorzolamide/timolol), Cosopt PF, Trusopt (dorzolamide), Trusopt PF, Timoptic (timolol maleate ophthalmic solution), Timoptic PF, Timoptic XE (timolol maleate ophthalmic gel), Saflutan (tafluprost), and Taptiqom(tafluprost timolol)-in Japan, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The annual sales in these territories associated with these ophthalmic products are approximately $400 million.

Under the terms of the agreement, Santen made upfront payment of approximately $600 million and additional payments based on defined sales milestones as needed. Santen will also receive supply from Merck, the ophthalmology products within this agreement for a two- to five-year period. The agreement is subject to certain closing conditions, including obtaining antitrust clearance in Japan and other closing conditions related to specific markets or regions. Santen intends to fund the transaction with a combination of cash on hand and bank loans.

"Santen is proud to inherit and continue Merck's formidable legacy in ophthalmology,” says Akira Kurokawa, present and CEO of Santen. “This transaction strengthens Santen's lineup of glaucoma products, significantly expands Santen's footprint in Japan, Asia and Europe, and is an important step in achieving its long-term corporate vision to become a specialized pharmaceutical company with a global presence by 2020. We are pleased that by entering into this agreement, Santen can increase its presence in the global ophthalmology market, which consequently allow us to contribute even further to meet the medical needs of the patients suffering from various eye disease.”

Newsletter

Want more insights like this? Subscribe to Optometry Times and get clinical pearls and practice tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Recent Videos
Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, detailed a talk she gave alongside Mary Beth Yackey, OD, at Optometry's Meeting 2025.
Shelby Brogdon, OD, details opportunities for practices to answer the patient's concerns from the chair before they hit the internet for their contact lens needs.
Christi Closson, OD, FAAO, shares her excitement for the new Acuvue Oasys MAX 1-Day multifocal for astigmatism
Karen R. Hoffman, OD, shares how customizable scleral lenses can transform vision for patients with complex corneas, achieving 20/20 outcomes and enhanced comfort.
Janna Pham, OD, shares key takeaways from a corneal tomography session she presented alongside Travis Pfeifer, OD, and Matthew McGee, OD.
Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO, details early symptom relief demonstrated in as early as day 1 during AOA's Optometry's Meeting 2025.
When Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FEAOO, began fitting scleral lenses 20 years ago, there was limited knowledge about conjunctival characteristics, scleral shape, and lens behavior.
Ioussifova details what sets Johnson & Johnson's new lens apart from the rest, which was launched at the American Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting 2025.
Alongside Rachel Steele, OD, Rafieetary outlines what to look for in blurred disc margins and the importance of acting fast and sending patients to the ED when needed.
Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FEAOO, emphasized that every staff member should play a role in myopia management during his presentation at Optometry's Meeting 2025.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.