CIBA considering ‘strategic alternatives’ for surgical business unit

DULUTH, Ga. — CIBA Vision is considering selling its surgical business unit as one potential “strategic alternative” for the unit, the company announced earlier this week.

In the past two years, the company has entered into “several key licensing and development agreements” for the unit, according to a news release. These include the European launch of VisThesia, a viscoelastic that includes anesthesia; the purchase of the PRL phakic refractive lens; the Vivarte presbyopic lens; the Ex-Press mini glaucoma shunt; an alliance with Refocus Group on the development of scleral expansion implants for the treatment of presbyopia and glaucoma; the Centurion SES microkeratome; and the development of the Centurion SES EpiEdge epikeratome.

“While the surgical team has developed a portfolio of highly promising technologies, we do not have the scale or necessary presence in the market to fully capitalize on them,” said Joe Mallof, chief executive officer. “We believe that the value of our surgical products and technologies can be better realized by a company focused on maximizing their growth potential. This will also allow us to focus on our core lens and lens care businesses.”

While CIBA is seeking an appropriate buyer for its unit, Mr. Mallof added product development, clinical trials and marketing efforts currently under way “will continue as planned.”