Théa to acquire 7 branded ophthalmic products from Akorn

Laboratoires Théa SAS ("Théa") announced last Friday that it will acquire seven branded ophthalmic products from Akron Operating Company LLC.

Among these brands is Zioptan, Akron’s leading glaucoma therapy, as well as its nearly 50-person sales force, which Théa intends to expand with the anticipated launch and growth of additional products within the US, according to a news release.

In a statement, Jean-Frédéric Chibret, Théa’s president, said the acquisition is a milestone purchase for the company.

“As a fifth-generation member of a family that has spent more than150 years dedicated to eye care, I’m always excited to extend Théa’s unique expertise and passion into new markets, he said, “where our goal is to improve patient quality of life by providing innovative offerings across a full range of therapeutic areas, including glaucoma, dry eye, allergy and inflammation.”

The following Akorn brands are included in Théa’s purchase:

• Zioptan(tafluprost ophthalmic solution), a prostaglandin analog indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
• AcellFX (acellular amniotic membrane), which provides a protective environment or covering for repair to the ocular surface.
• Betimol(timolol ophthalmic solution), indicated in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open angle glaucoma.
• Cosopt (dorzolamide HCl and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution), indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension that is insufficiently responsive to beta blockers.
• Cosopt PF (dorzolamide HCl and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution), indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension that is insufficiently responsive to beta blockers.
• AzaSite (azithromycin ophthalmic solution), a macrolide antibiotic indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible isolates of certain microorganisms; and
• Akten (lidocaine HCl ophthalmic gel), a local anesthetic indicated for ocular surface anesthesia during ophthalmologic procedures.

Théa expects to submit its first New Drug Application (NDA) with the FDA by this year’s first quarter for its version of the glaucoma treatment latanoprost.

By the end of the 2022 first quarter, the company plans to launch, in partnership with Similasan Corporation, a new line of branded over-the-counter evidence-based dry eye drops and eyelid hygiene products.