Ophthalmology Times

Kalaris Therapeutics and AlloVir Inc. have officially completed a previously announced merger of the 2 companies. The combined companies will operate under the name Kalaris Therapeutics, Inc. and will trade on Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol KLRS. The company will be led by Andrew Oxtoby, CEO of Kalaris, and other members of Kalaris management. Read More: https://ow.ly/A8gK50VniLo

A large study performed by researchers in China and Australia found substantial increases in the prevalence and severity of refractive and corneal astigmatism, independent of myopia, in children after the COVID-19 pandemic, reported first author Ka Wai Kam, MSc. He is affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, both in Hong Kong. Previous studies reported a surge in the prevalence of myopia associated with the pandemic, but the association between COVID-19 and childhood astigmatism remains unclear, the research team explained. Read More: https://ow.ly/1efp50VniIp

Iantrek Corporation has announced positive 2-year results from its prospective clinical study of a bio-interventional platform for uveoscleral outflow enhancement in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients undergoing combined cataract surgery. According to the company, results demonstrated the durability of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and uveoscleral outflow enhancement provided by Iantrek’s cyclodialysis procedure with bio-reinforcement. Read More: https://ow.ly/NUpf50Vmb4J

Jasmine S. Brown and colleagues found that there are gender differences in ophthalmologist communication patterns, and the COVID-19 pandemic impacted these differences. Female physicians sent longer response communications to patients and more responses per patient compared with male physicians. Effective patient-centered communication is critical for ophthalmic patients because it can convey the importance of the treatment plan and enhance adherence. Gender differences in communication have increasing relevance in ophthalmology given the rising representation of women within the specialty over the past 50 years (from 4% in 1969 to 27% in 2019), according to the authors, who published their results in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Read More: https://ow.ly/8v1s50VmaZG

Australian investigators identified a potential misdiagnosis rate of geographic atrophy (GA) of 1.9%. While this is low, they advised clinicians of the potential for dystrophies that mimic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other atrophic macular pathologies to be incorrectly diagnosed. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment. Read More: https://ow.ly/5IlH50VlLqB

Formosa Pharmaceuticals and Cipla Limited have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the commercialization of clobetasol propionate ophthalmic suspension, 0.05% (APP13007) for post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Under the terms of the agreement, Cipla has exclusive rights to market APP13007 across 11 countries: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, and Colombia. Read More: https://ow.ly/SHKU50VlLoW

Ocugen announced the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the OCU200 clinical trial convened following dosing of the first cohort in the dose-escalation portion of the Phase 1 study and approved continuation of dosing in the second cohort. The first patient in the clinical trial of OCU200 was dosed at the beginning of 2025. OCU200 is a novel fusion protein consisting of 2 human proteins, tumstatin and transferrin, with the potential to treat diabetic macular edema (DME), administered intravitreally. The DSMB noted that no serious adverse events related to OCU200 have been reported to date. Read More: https://ow.ly/hUxF50VlLo2

OSRX is introducing new medications and direct-to-patient post-op kits, which are designed to streamline workflows for eye care professionals and enhance patient experience. Among the offerings, OSRX can provide Tropicamide 1% + Phenylephrine 2.5%* in a 10mL fill, in addition to 2mL. The company notes that this larger size may provide a better value, helping practices to cut down on reorders, streamline processes, and reduce medical waste while ensuring quality care for patients. Read More: https://ow.ly/khqG50VloG4

A multicenter study of the outcomes of a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen using aflibercept (Eylea, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) showed that the treatment maintained the baseline visual acuity (VA) and reduced the central macular thickness (CMT) for 5 years in Japanese patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The investigators looked at two important factors, the first being the real-world long-term outcomes of a TAE regimen, given that large clinical trials of anti-VEGF drugs have reached different conclusions about the various drugs’ abilities to maintain or improve VA. Read More: https://ow.ly/6uzz50VloyP

US News & World Report has released its second annual insight into the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) in the United States for ophthalmology, as well as colonoscopy & endoscopy, orthopedics & spine, and urology. US News & World Report defines an ASC as a “freestanding health care facility that specializes in providing surgical and diagnostic procedures that do not require an overnight stay.” In the specialty of ophthalmology, the organization looked at centers that performed cataract surgery with lens implant, destruction of retinal or choroid lesions by laser (or other), glaucoma surgery, and surgical retinal and vitreous procedures. Read More: https://ow.ly/o6xb50VkcRa