Eye-Care Application
Avantex’s Thermo-Sensitive Smart Gel/Drop
Avantex Biotechnologies has developed a proprietary, dual-drug gel/drop that provides an efficacious therapeutic treatment and cure for various eye issues and diseases. This improved therapeutic formulation is easily absorbed, and provides prolonged ocular retention with less irritation. To develop this improved formulation, Avantex has employed Acufilic’s™ co-delivery platform that combines FDA-approved therapeutically and biologically active molecules.
Avantex’s eyedrop-type, dual-drug eluting gel/drop with long-term release characteristics provides a more convenient, affordable and sustainable eye-care treatment for improved patient outcomes and compliance.
Key Features of Avantex Acufilic’s™ Smart Gel/Drop
The key features and benefits include:
- Thermo-sensitive gel/drop providing an efficacious therapeutic eye treatment
- Dual-drug eluting gel/drop with sustained release properties
- Prolonged ocular retention without irritation
Major Eye Diseases Problems
Major ocular diseases are classified into the following categories: dry eyes, allergies, glaucoma, inflammation/infection, retinal disorders, uveitis, and others.
Glaucoma to Increase Substantially
Over 2.7 million Americans were affected by Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) in 2011, with the number estimated to increase to 7.3 million by 2050, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The leading cause of blindness is cataracts, followed by diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Many countries have been setting up strategic initiatives such as Vision 2020 Australia to facilitate treatments for people with vision loss to help combat partial and permanent blindness.
Retinal Disorder Dominates Market
In 2016, the dominating market segment was retinal disorder, owing to its high incidence and rising prevalence of age-related macular degeneration. Further classifications of retinal disorders include: wet and dry age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and others. The chances of acquiring age-related macular degeneration increases as people age.
Dry Eye Market Showing Significant Growth
The increase in incidences of dry eye disorder is expected to drive significant growth for this sector in the next five to 10 years. And diabetes mellitus is considered to be one of the leading risk factors for Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) according to NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information). During 2016, the prevalence of DES in diabetic patients aged 65 years and older was 15 to 33%. The leading drugs for treating dry eyes are Restasis, Refresh, Hyalein, and Diquas.
The Global Eye-Care Market Growing at CAGR of 5.1%
Valued at USD 22.7 billion in 2016, the global ophthalmic therapeutics/drugs market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1%. A widespread increase in eye disorders such as presbyopia, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy among an aging population are the key factors expected to drive market growth – all resulting in an increase in R&D expenditures for the development of novel solutions.
A major share in the ophthalmic drug market is in the US, where companies engage in continuous R&D activities driving the product market share. For example, OTX-TP (Travoprost insert) used for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension is currently under Phase III clinical trial.
A wide range of drugs for the treatment of eye disorders, such as Azopt, Lumigan, Retaine MGD, Vigamox, and others are also expected to fuel market growth. And the presence of well-established manufacturing companies is projected to boost this growth of the US ophthalmic therapeutics market. These include Alcon (Novartis AG); Johnson and Johnson Vision Care, Inc.; Bausch and Lomb Inc.; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.; and others
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