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Alcon's BAK-free travoprost approved in Japan

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FORT WORTH, Texas — The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan has approved a version of travoprost that does not contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension, Alcon announced in a press release.

The approval is for Travatan Z, a formulation of Alcon's original Travatan (travoprost ophthalmic solution 0.004%) that replaces the benzalkonium chloride (BAK) preservative in the original formulation with sofzia, an ionic-buffered preservative system that is more gentle on the ocular surface.

Research has suggested that benzalkonium chloride could negatively affect the ocular surface, the release said.

"Given Japan's position as the world's second largest glaucoma market, we anticipate that Travatan Z will be an important contributor to our future growth," said Tom Dooley, president and representative director of Alcon Japan, in the release.