Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BLCO), a global leader in eye health, has announced the acquisition of Whitecap Biosciences, LLC, a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies for glaucoma and geographic atrophy (GA). This acquisition enhances Bausch + Lomb’s clinical-stage pipeline and accelerates its efforts to address unmet medical needs in ophthalmic care.
Yehia Hashad, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Research & Development at Bausch + Lomb, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing treatments that fill critical gaps in care. “Glaucoma and geographic atrophy are areas where significant improvements can be made,” said Hashad. “Whitecap Biosciences’ investigational therapies show promising potential in slowing vision loss, and in some cases, possibly improving vision for glaucoma patients. This could represent a breakthrough long-awaited by the medical community.”
Whitecap Biosciences, founded in 2015, specializes in developing novel therapies for eye diseases, particularly focusing on glaucoma, GA, and other severe ocular conditions. The company has successfully completed Phase 2 clinical trials for its lead drug, WB007, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist designed to treat glaucoma. Future clinical trials for both glaucoma and GA are set to follow.
Glaucoma is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that damages the optic nerve, often due to high intraocular pressure, and is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness globally. It affects approximately four million people in the United States, with early diagnosis and treatment offering the potential to prevent further vision loss. Meanwhile, geographic atrophy, also known as advanced dry age-related macular degeneration, impacts an estimated one million people in the U.S.
Scott Whitcup, MD, founder and former CEO of Whitecap Biosciences, expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating, “Glaucoma and geographic atrophy can lead to severe and irreversible vision loss. By partnering with Bausch + Lomb, we believe Whitecap’s therapies can be developed into effective treatments that significantly improve visual outcomes for patients.”
About Bausch + Lomb
Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to preserving and enhancing vision through its extensive portfolio of products, including contact lenses, eye care solutions, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, surgical devices, and over-the-counter products. With a strong global presence and approximately 13,000 employees, Bausch + Lomb operates in nearly 100 countries. The company is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario, with corporate offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
About Whitecap Biosciences, LLC
Whitecap Biosciences is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies for ophthalmic diseases, particularly glaucoma and geographic atrophy. The company is advancing clinical programs for its lead compounds, WB007 and WB006, aiming to improve vision in patients suffering from these debilitating eye conditions.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including projections and expectations about future events and developments. These statements are based on current management expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, and Bausch + Lomb assumes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.
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