Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CVE:AQS) (OTCQB:AQSZF) has announced the commercial availability of Evolve preservative-free lubricating eye drops for dry eye care.
The Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company said these premium formulations - ‘Intensive Daily’ drops, with the gold standard 0.2% sodium hyaluronate, and the unique, triple action ‘Intensive Gel’ drops, containing hyaluronate, carbomer 980 and glycerol - will provide soothing hydration and symptom relief for patients with dry eye disease.
The products will be available exclusively for sale by eye care clinics in Canada, where patients can receive the full benefit of dry eye treatment plans when they are diagnosed, prescribed, and monitored by eye care professionals.
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“We are excited to launch the Evolve line of dry eye products in Canada, as they will not only improve treatment and compliance for better patient outcomes but create an improved revenue stream for professionals who spend additional time and resources treating dry eye patients in practice,” said Grant Larsen, chief commercial officer for Aequus Pharmaceuticals in a statement.
“This launch adds another 2 products to our growing Eye Care portfolio and represents a significant revenue opportunity for Aequus going forward,” he added.
The company said the Evolve lubricating eye drops are crafted specifically for supporting optimal eye care and contain:
- Preservative and phosphate-free formulations
- A secure antimicrobial twist-cap
- Compatibility with soft and hard contact lenses
- 350+ micro-sized drops per bottle – the highest number of drops on the market
- Non-blurring formulations
- Patented PureFlowTM Technology, and blue aiming tip
- Soft sides for easy drop dispensing
- Products are available for order by Canadian clinicians at www.aequuseyecare.ca
Dry eye disease (DED) is a common disorder of the tear film that leads to ocular surface damage over time. Previous research has shown DED reduces health and vision-related quality of life and that it carries a considerable economic burden of disease. DED affects approximately 6.3 million Canadians, representing approximately 21% of the population.1 Home confinement, e-learning and working from home due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic means spending more time looking at screens, which has a significant impact on eye health. A combination of reduced frequency and intensity of blinking during screen time increases the risk of inducing or exacerbating dry eye disease.
Launched in 2015 in Europe, the Evolve brand has grown to 5 products across 35 countries. With an array of products, the brand can address the various symptoms involved with dry eye disease and blepharitis including discomfort, stinging, burning, and dryness. Currently in Canada, the dry eye market is estimated at over $90 million, which includes both prescription and over-the-counter products.
Aequus Pharmaceuticals is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing high quality, differentiated products. It has grown its sales and marketing efforts to include several commercial products in ophthalmology and transplant.
The company plans to build on its Canadian commercial platform through the launch of additional products that are either created internally or brought in through an acquisition or license; remaining focused on highly specialized therapeutic areas.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com