M&A | Ophthalmology Innovation Source

Alcon Makes Big Move in MIGS

With Transcend, Alcon Gains a Foothold in Glaucoma Device Market Contributed by Larry Haimovitch and Richard Mark Kirkner With its move to acquire Transcend Medical and its CyPass Micro-Stent platform for glaucoma, Novartis aims to kick start the lackluster growth of its Alcon unit by tapping into the high-growth micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device market…

What Does the Leadership Shuffle Mean for Ophthalmology?

A Look at Recent Leadership Changes in Ophthalmology - OIS Podcast

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 073″] The combination of Pfizer and Allergan certainly creates some waves in ophthalmology. But did these choppy waters have anything to do with recent leadership changes in the sector? Transcript Tom Salemi: Hi, everyone, welcome back to the OIS Podcast. This is Tom Salemi, your host. Thanks a lot for joining…

Avalanche’s Post-AMD Pivot Takes Step Outside Ophthalmology

How far will Avalanche Biotechnologies Inc.’s pivot take it outside of ophthalmology? Following the release of disappointing topline results of its lead gene therapy candidate for age-related macular degeneration last June, Avalanche Biotechnologies has undertaken a series of significant pivots to right its ship. After releasing those results, the Menlo Park, CA, biotech company underwent…

Emptying the OIS Reporter’s Notebook After OIS@AAO

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 069″] OIS Correspondents Michelle Dalton and Richard Kirkner pool their insights on the most compelling sights and insights of OIS, Subspecialty Day and AAO. The two scribes opine on exiting new disease targets, advances in drug delivery, the penetration of digital technology and why the `Pfizergan’ deal makes sense for ophthalmology.…

Where Will `Pfizergan’ Fit in Ophthalmology

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 068″] Allergan has been a pillar of the ophthalmology sector for decades so its merger with Pfizer is a cause of concern for some. But ophthalmology leaders also see reason for optimism from the combination. The deal could bring greater firepower to ophthalmology R&D and M&A and some hope it’s a…

Saunders Seen As Key Man in Pfizer-Allergan Mashup

Last week, Pfizer and Allergan executives gave us a lot to chew on over the Thanksgiving weekend. The $160 billion combination will create the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, a behemoth comprising at least one element – Allergan – that has had a significant interest in ophthalmology. Allergan – the new Allergan that emerged from the…

Oculeve’s Ackermann Talks Allergan

Michael Ackermann, CEO of start-up Oculeve, gives an update on his work with Allergan following the purchase of his company and its Dry Eye device. Ackermann explains how he’s fitting into Allergan’s folds and when we might expect to see Oculeve’s neurostimulation device. Speaking With: Michael Ackermann, PhD Michael is currently Vice President, Neurostimulation for…

A View of the Public Ophthalmology Market & Exit Trends

Presenter: Joseph Gilliam Mr. Gilliam has over 16 year’s experience in strategic advisory services, private and public equity and debt financings. Prior to J.P. Morgan, Mr. Gilliam was at The Beacon Group, a strategic advisory and private equity firm. View Full Profile

Saunders Promises ‘Greater Impact’ on Ophthalmology

With the planned combination of Pfizer and Allergan to create the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, Brent Saunders, a key player in two significant acquisitions of eye care firms over the past three years, will assume a leading role in the combined company. Saunders, president and CEO of Allergan, will serve as president and COO of…

Aquesys’ CEO Details Allergan’s Successful Bid

Last week’s sale of Aquesys represented a homecoming for CEO Ron Bache, who started his surgical device career at Allergan in the late 1990s. However, the decision to sell the privately held MIGS company to the Allergan speaks much more directly to the kind of home Allergan will be for XEN Gel Stent, Aquesys’ entry…

Q&A with Shire’s Robert Dempsey

Shire this week announced plans to acquire Foresight Biotherapeutics for $300 million. Robert Dempsey, Shire’s vice president and head of the company’s ophthalmic unit, kindly agreed to answer a few questions about Shire’s push into ophthalmology. In 2013, Shire acquired SARCode and suggested an FDA submission for lifitegrast as a treatment for Dry Eye might…

A favorite From The OIS Podcast Stack

[creativ_pullleft colour=”light-gray” colour_custom=”” text=”Episode 049″] Oculeve’s stunning acquisition by Allergan last week led us back to a conversation we had with Mark S. Blumenkranz, MD, Professor & Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University. Mark S. Blumenkranz is the H.J. Smead Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Stanford University. He received…