Joe Blow.. u need to read this If approved, latanoprostene bunod would be the first nitric-oxide donating prostaglandin F2α analog for ophthalmic use.
"This is an exciting development in our journey to bring this new treatment option to the more than 3 million1 patients in the U.S. with open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and address a significant unmet medical need," said Joseph C. Papa, Chairman and CEO of Valeant. "Valeant is committed to delivering therapies that make a difference in patients' lives, and our work on latanoprostene bunod is a strong example of that."
"If granted, the FDA's approval of latanoprostene bunod will allow for the introduction of the first truly novel medication for these patients in many years," said Michele Garufi, Chairman and CEO of Nicox. "Additionally, latanoprostene bunod would represent the first commercially available therapy to use our proprietary nitric oxide-donating R&D platform, which we will continue to apply in the development of future innovative ophthalmic compounds."
Latanoprostene bunod was licensed by Nicox to Bausch + Lomb.
About Latanoprostene Bunod
Latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution, 0.024% is an IOP-lowering single-agent eye drop dosed once daily for patients with OAG or OHT. In the eye, latanoprostene bunod is metabolized to two moieties. The first, latanoprost acid, is an F2α prostaglandin analog, while the second, butanediol mononitrate, releases nitric oxide, which activates the soluble guanylate cyclase-guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate signaling pathway. Latanoprostene bunod is believed to lower IOP by increasing outflow of aqueous humor through both the trabecular meshwork and uveoscleral routes.
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which can lead to the loss of peripheral vision and eventually total blindness. Glaucoma is frequently linked to abnormally high pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure, IOP), due to blockage or malfunction of the eye's drainage system. Abnormally high IOP does not cause any symptoms itself, however it can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss over time if left untreated. Drug therapy is used to reduce IOP and therefore prevent further vision loss, typically through either reducing aqueous humor production or by increasing the drainage of intraocular fluid by relaxing certain muscles in the eye. Several large trials have demonstrated that reducing IOP can prevent the progression of glaucoma in both early and late stages of the disease. A significant proportion of patients with elevated IOP require more than one medication to maintain their IOP within target levels, highlighting the need for more effective treatments.