Alcon plans to purchase Sirion Therapeutics assets

Alcon will buy assets from fellow eye treatment specialist Sirion Therapeutics, the company announced this week.

Overall, the contract encompasses two Food and Drug Administration-approved products – Durezol and Zirgan.

Durezol is a marketed ophthalmic corticosteroid approved for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with eye surgery, while Zirgan is an antiviral for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis, or ulcers of the cornea.

Furthermore, Alcon will also acquire the global rights, excluding Latin America, for Zyclorin – a product currently undergoing testing for the treatment of dry eye and other ocular surface conditions.

Kevin Buehler, Alcon’s president and chief executive officer, commented: “The acquisition of these products from Sirion is part of our business development strategy to gain access to late-stage or approved products that will incrementally add to sales.”

In other Alcon news, the firm revealed earlier this month that it will be acquired by fellow pharmaceutical firm Novartis.