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Sun Ophthalmics prepares to enter US ophthalmic market in 2016
A new business within Sun Pharma was formed to bring innovative ophthalmic drugs to the market and focus on customers' needs.
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A group within a large multinational drug maker is poised to enter the U.S. ophthalmic market and take a professional-centered approach in 2016.
The new entity, Sun Ophthalmics, an arm of Sun Pharma, features a team of experienced ophthalmic executives who are preparing to introduce new products and build on existing product lines through partnerships and acquisitions.
“Sun Ophthalmics is a unique group within the Sun Pharma business,” Jason Menzo, vice president of sales and marketing for Sun Ophthalmics, told Ocular Surgery News. “Sun Pharma is a vertically integrated company with operations in 150 countries and over 30,000 employees. While Sun Ophthalmics will leverage the backing of our parent organization to launch our branded ophthalmic pharmaceutical business, we will do so with a passionate eye care professional-focused approach.”
Sun Ophthalmics plans to commence commercial operations in 2016.
The launch of Sun Ophthalmics comes amid Sun Pharma’s acquisition of InSite Vision.
“It was recently announced that one of Sun Pharma’s subsidiaries has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with InSite Vision Inc. Strategically, this merger fits nicely with our strategy to bring innovative products to the market in the near term. InSite has a pipeline of three late-stage clinical candidates and a validated drug delivery system in Dura-Site,” Menzo said.
Leadership team and mission
The Sun Ophthalmics leadership team includes Jerry St. Peter as vice president and head of the business, Menzo as vice president of sales and marketing, Jason Werner as vice president of strategy and commercial development, and Mark Jasek, PhD, as vice president of scientific and medical affairs.
All four executives each have more than 15 years of experience in the ophthalmic pharmaceutical industry with companies such as Alcon, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb, Inspire and Nicox.
“We are very familiar with the ophthalmic market and see this as a perfect time to launch a new organization that has the means and passion to re-energize the space. Our strategy is to be hyper-focused on the eye care professional and really cater to their needs,” Menzo said.
Menzo described the U.S. ophthalmic market as ripe for innovation and growth.
“We love this market and in particular love the ophthalmologists and optometrists that make it up. We see an opportunity to launch innovative products while differentiating ourselves based on how we do business. The ophthalmic market remains very specialized with relatively few companies operating as compared to other specialties. With that in mind, we plan to quickly differentiate ourselves and make a positive impact,” Menzo said.
Menzo said he and colleagues intend to focus on the unique needs of ophthalmologists and optometrists.
“In addition to launching great products, we view our mission at Sun Ophthalmics as being the company that is catering to the professional. We will listen to the professionals’ needs and deliver ‘concierge level’ customer care. Our brands will be priced responsibly and have scientific credibility,” Menzo said.
Ophthalmic product portfolio
With the acquisition of InSite Vision, the company will have two products under FDA review: Xelpros (0.005% latanoprost), a BAK-free topical formulation of latanoprost, and BromSite (0.075% bromfenac). Xelpros is seeking an indication for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. BromSite is seeking an indication for the treatment of inflammation and prevention of pain after cataract surgery, and is based on InSite Vision’s DuraSite drug delivery platform.
“Xelpros is a unique BAK-free formulation of latanoprost. The formulation contains the global market leading prostaglandin analogue, but without the addition of BAK to the multi-dose bottle. I think it is well-recognized the potential negative impact that BAK can have on the ocular surface with chronic dosing, and so we felt it was important to bring a quality product to market that safely eliminates BAK from the formulation in a patient-friendly multi-use bottle,” Menzo said.
Sun Ophthalmics also plans to build on drug delivery platforms established by InSite Vision, DuraSite and DuraSite 2, including DexaSite (0.1% dexamethasone) and AzaSite Plus (1% azithromycin and 0.1% dexamethasone).
InSite Vision has two approved products based on its DuraSite platform for the treatment of bacterial eye infections: AzaSite (azithromycin ophthalmic solution 1%) and Besivance (besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6%), marketed by Akorn and Bausch + Lomb, respectively.
“[There’s] already a fairly robust ophthalmic pipeline, not only from the InSite Vision merger, but also through development programs at our parent organization and other partnerships. We believe strongly in investing in research and intend on bringing new, innovative products to market for years to come,” Menzo said. – by Matt Hasson
- For more information:
- Jason Menzo can be reached at Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, 201 Main St., 6th floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102; email: jason.menzo@sunpharma.com.
Disclosure: Menzo reports he is vice president of sales and marketing for Sun Ophthalmics. He reports no other relevant financial disclosures.