Dry Eye: Award Winning Technology Solves Dilemma For Patients

Ardeo Health™ Licenses New Dry Eye Therapy From Novagali Pharma

 

 

Released on: June 15, 2011, 1:40 am
Author: Robert C Sykora R.Ph.
Industry: Healthcare

Suwanee, GA, USA (June 15, 2011) - Ardeo Health, LLC, a biopharmaceutical development and licensing company, announced today that it has reached an agreement with Novagali Pharma S.A. of Evry, France to license Novagali’s novel Nova23041 dry eye therapy for sale in the United States and Canada. The product will be marketed and distributed as Retaine® MGD™ Ophthalmic Emulsion under a brand license from OCuSOFT®, Inc., of Richmond, TX, USA. OCuSOFT, Inc. will also serve as the exclusive distributor under a multiyear agreement between Ardeo and OCuSOFT. Retaine MGD will target those individuals suffering from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and Evaporative Dry Eye.

Retaine MGD will be a preservative-free oil-in-water emulsion resulting from Novagali’s patented Novasorb® technology whose efficiency and tolerance in treating dry eye symptoms have been proven during a number of clinical trials carried out in Europe and Southeast Asia. Successfully marketed since 2008 under the brand name Cationorm®, a brand that belongs to Novagali Pharma, the product is already recommended by ophthalmologists in numerous countries throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Based on the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged Nova23041 eye drop and the negatively charged corneal epithelium of the ocular surface, Novasorb’s technological platform enables the product to be spread in an optimal, uniform and comfortable way across the entire ocular surface, improves retention time and thus reduces the number of drops required each day by MGD and dry eye sufferers due to its increased efficiency and optimal compliance and tolerance.

“Everyone at Ardeo Health is excited to see this newest technology brought to North America. Patients suffering from moderate to severe Dry Eye will now have an alternative to expensive prescription (Rx) therapies”, states Robert “Bob” Sykora, RPh, President & CEO of Ardeo Health. “With these partnerships, Ardeo has the best of both worlds—the science of Novagali coupled with the brand recognition and distribution channels of OCuSOFT”.

Cynthia Barratt, President of OCuSOFT comments, “OCuSOFT has been searching for a truly unique proprietary Dry Eye therapy which also combined a long-term partnership—and we have found that with Ardeo Health and Novagali. I believe Retaine® MGD™ will become the standard of care for those suffering with Meibomian Gland deficiencies and Evaporative Dry Eye symptoms”.

Jérôme Martinez, Chairman of Novagali Pharma, concludes: “We are very pleased to be able to announce, today, the signing of this agreement involving two major American ophthalmology players. Given their proven expertise on the North American ophthalmology market, the Ardeo and OCuSOFT teams will no doubt make Nova23041’s launch in the United States and Canada a success that will enable us to extend the distribution of our unique formulation for treating dry eye symptoms around the world. This agreement confirms the growing reputation of the products and technologies developed by Novagali Pharma in the United States.”

About Ardeo Health LLC
Ardeo Health, founded in 2007, is a Suwanee, GA USA-based healthcare company that specializes in research, development, and licensing of advanced technology pharmaceutical products, consumer health products, and medical devices. Ardeo Health is dedicated to the pursuit of products and technologies leading to the effective treatment and cure of ophthalmic and dermatologic diseases. For more information, please contact info@ardeohealth.com or visit www.ardeohealth.com.

About OCuSOFT, Inc.
OCuSOFT, Inc. is a Richmond, TX USA-based ophthalmic research, development and supply company with an established reputation for
innovation, particularly in the area of Ocular Surface Disease (OSD). Since 1986, OCuSOFT® has served the ophthalmic industry with a
unique selection of proprietary brands including over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products. A pioneer in ophthalmology,
OCuSOFT® introduced the first eyelid cleanser, the first topical anesthetic gel, the first “leave-on” antibacterial eyelid cleaner, the first
prescription-only supplement for Dry Eyes and the first supplement to enhance botulinum toxin injections. Today, the company is most
recognized for its #1 Doctor Recommended Brand of Eyelid Cleansers, OCuSOFT® Lid Scrub™, in addition to its standing as the preferred
distributor of ophthalmic products and supplies by eye care professionals in the U.S. For more information, please contact Linda Dang at
ldang@ocusoft.com, call 800-233-5469, or visit www.ocusoft.com.

About Novagali Pharma, S.A.
Founded in 2000, Novagali Pharma SA is a pharmaceutical company that develops ophthalmic innovative products for all segments of the
eye. Thanks to its three proprietary technology platforms, the Company has an advanced portfolio of highly innovative products, one of
which is already on sale and two of which are undergoing phase III clinical trials.

In 2009, Frost & Sullivan recognized Novagali with the Award for Industry Innovation & Advancement of the Year, for its proprietary
emulsion technology platforms, and Siemens awarded the company the “Health Award” Grand Prix de l’Innovation for Novasorb®. Novagali
Pharma carried out a successful IPO in July 2010 enabling the Company to raise €22 million.

Novagali Pharma is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris - Compartment C. ISIN code: FR0010915553 - Ticker: NOVA.

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Media contact:

Robert C Sykora R.Ph.
Ardeo Health
SeClere Health
1595 Peachtree Parkway
Suite 204-268
Cumming, Georgia, USA 30041
U.S. mobile: 678.862.6141
Intl mobile: 00 1 678 8626141
www.ardeohealth.com

 

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