Pfizer combines ophthalmic portfolio with Bausch and Lomb

Pfizer has made a five-year agreement with Bausch and Lomb to combine their portfolios of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.

Under the terms of the deal, both firms will be responsible for selling and marketing the fromer’s drug Xaltan (latanoprost ophthalmic solution), along with three others from the latter’s collection.

Olivier Brandicourt, president and general manager of Pfizer’s specialty care business unit, explained that ophthalmic disorders can cause significant disability.

He commented: “This agreement ? further demonstrates our commitment to provide prescription medications that can benefit people living with serious eye conditions.”

In its own pipeline, Pfizer will continue to maintain three mid-stage ophthalmic development programmes.

The company has also entered into a series of licensing agreements with the Indian pharmaceutical company Aurobindo to help expand its portfolio of generic medicines in Europe.

Under the terms, Pfizer has acquired the rights to 20 solid oral dose products in Europe, plus an additional 11 in France.

David Simmons, president and general manager of the firm’s established products business unit, stated the arrangements “represent solid, measurable progress and a strong commitment to achieve our growth objectives”.