Bausch + Lomb (NYSE:BLCO) announced that its affiliate acquired AcuFocus, a privately held maker of ophthalmic medical devices.
The deal remains pursuant to a merger transaction with the parent company of AcuFocus. Neither company disclosed the financial terms of the transaction.
AcuFocus develops small aperture intraocular technology. Its portfolio includes the IC-8 Apthera intraocular lens (IOL). The lens received FDA approval in July 2022. It’s the first and only small aperture non-toric extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL for certain patients. These patients have as much as 1.5 diopters of corneal astigmatism. They also wish to address presbyopia at the same time.
The lens provides excellent distance vision through its small aperture technology, AcuFocus says. It also offers clear intermediate and near vision to mitigate the effects of presbyopia.
IC-8 Apthera’s commercial availability includes markets across Europe, as well as in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
We believe that the IC-8 Apthera EDOF IOL will bolster our surgical portfolio by enhancing our IOL offerings, which is a strategic area of focus for Bausch + Lomb,” said Joseph C. Papa, CEO, Bausch + Lomb. “We will continue to focus on areas of unmet medical need that we believe will help drive long-term growth in our core segments, and importantly, help us achieve our mission of helping people see better to live better.”
AcuFocus President and CEO Al Waterhouse called Bausch + Lomb “a legacy name in eye care.” He added that it offers a fully integrated portfolio of eye health solutions.
“With its extensive development footprint and renowned commercial expertise, we believe Bausch + Lomb is best positioned to educate physicians about the IC-8 Apthera lens, and ultimately, ensure more cataract patients have access to this new IOL,” Waterhouse said.