Alcon to Acquire Belkin Vision in $2.4 Billion Strategic Move to Expand Glaucoma Portfolio

May 11, 2024 00:03 CST Updated 00:03

BELKIN Vision

Glaucoma Laser Equipment Developer

Ivantis

Glaucoma Therapy Developer

Source of the article: Eye Future (partially referenced from the Cataract Perspective) ；Editor: Bai Xiaofei

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Recently, according to a report submitted by BioLight to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange,Swiss-American pharmaceutical and medical device giant - AlconIn progressAcquisitionIsraeli Medical Technology CompanyBelkin Vision。

It is reported that BioLight will sell its shares in BELKIN Vision (4%).According to the milestones established in the transaction,The value of these shares may be as high as 330 million US dollars.。

BioLight's report pointed out,All shares of BELKIN Vision will be transferred to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elcon., Upon completion of the transaction, BioLight will immediately receive$9 million in cash, and based on the achievement of milestones (sales targets), obtainUp to $10.8 Million in Additional Compensation。

BELKIN Vision Develops Non-Contact Automatic Glaucoma Laser Treatment, can be popularized among all ophthalmologists.BELKIN Vision, Ltd.Eagle™ Glaucoma Laser Treatment DeviceCurrently available in the EU and the UK, as of December 2023Received FDA 510(k) clearance,YesFDA ApprovedThe first and onlyNon-contact laser for glaucoma.

Alcon Confirms Acquisition CompletedBelkin Vision Protocol, but did not provide the financial terms of the transaction. Elcon stated,The transaction is expected to be completed in the early part of the third quarter of 2024., and provide more details upon completion of the transaction.

# Two Bets on Glaucoma Devices

In November 2021, Alcon announced the acquisition of Ivantis, Inc.Elcon will provide services for this California-based companyPrepayment of $475 million (approximately RMB 3.43 billion), with the possibility of additional payments upon reaching predetermined regulatory and commercial milestones.

Ivantis, Inc.Hydrus MicrostentReceived FDA approval in August 2018. It is in the United StatesSuitable for placement during cataract surgery in patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma. The device has also been approved in the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Germany, and can be implanted during cataract surgery or as a standalone procedure.

This acquisition aims to replace Alcon's own products.。In the same month that the FDA approved the Hydrus stent in 2018,Alcon Initiates Voluntary Recall of All Versions of Its CyPass Micro-Stent。

Although Alcon's glaucoma treatment stent received FDA approval in 2016, postoperative data collected during a five-year safety study indicated that, over time,Patients implanted with CyPass experienced more endothelial cell loss compared to those who underwent standard cataract surgery alone.。

Three years later, Alcon has found a product that can replace the CyPass micro-stent.Hydrus Microstent to Join Ophthalmic Device Portfolio Through Acquisition of Stent Developer and Manufacturer Ivantis. This acquisition will further strengthen Alcon's industry-leading product portfolio in the fields of cataract, refractive, retina, and glaucoma.

Ivantis is the manufacturer of Hydrus Microstent.Hydrus Microstent is approximately the size of an eyelash and represents the next generation of MIGS devices.，Aimed at reducing intraocular pressure by re-establishing flow through Schlemm's canal (the eye's natural outflow pathway).。

▲Hydrus Microstent

When placed in the eye tube during minimally invasive microsurgery, the deviceMechanism of Action of Tri-Modal Mechanism in Restoring Intraocular Fluid Flow。The design principle of the Hydrus microstent isIncrease Aqueous Humor Flow by Expanding the Cross-Section of Schlemm's Canal, this stent not only provides a durable bypass channel but also can dilate the trabecular meshwork along the length of the stent, allowing aqueous humor to more easily enter the downstream collector channel.

The implantation range of Hydrus in the natural outflow pathway of aqueous humor is approximately 90°., allowing the surgeon to more accurately observe the positioning of the stent within the scleral venous sinus.

▲Mechanism of Action of Hydrus Microstent

This time, Elcon plans to acquire BELKIN Vision, an Israeli company specializing in glaucoma laser devices.The core product under the company is the Eagle™ Glaucoma Laser Treatment Device.。

This treatment instrument is a Q-switched laser with a wavelength of 532nm, which belongs to a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser.Device,Intended for Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). This device isFDA ApprovedThe first and onlyNon-Contact Laser for Glaucoma, Compared with traditional treatment options, it has the followingThree Major Advantages：

No Contact: The laser energy does not come into direct contact with the patient's body,Can be directly transmitted to the trabecular meshwork tissue through the edge of the cornea., the entire process does not require the use of a gonioprism.
High degree of automation：The device will automatically determine the target location for treatment., then execute the laser treatment sequence, while the eye tracker monitors and adjusts for any eye movements in real time, ensuring the laser precisely targets and treats the intended area.
User-friendly：This device has a high degree of automation.Users only need to perform simple operations.enables the 120 laser patterns supported by SureTrac™ to be directly delivered to the trabecular meshwork.

▲Eagle™ Glaucoma Laser Treatment Device

Patient adherence to glaucoma topical medications has always been a significant challenge., with a reported adherence rate of 60%. Factors influencing adherence are related to the number of concomitant eye drops used, long-term economic costs, and drug side effects, among others.

Thus,Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) Introduced as Adjunctive Therapy Following Medication Failure. Over the past 20 years, SLT has increasingly become an established treatment for lowering IOP in patients with OAG and ocular hypertension. The current high safety and efficacy of this procedure haveAn increasing number of ophthalmologists from different countries are considering it as a first-line treatment for glaucoma.。

Eagle is the world's first non-contact automated direct SLT system, bringing significant changes to first-line glaucoma care.。Compared with traditional SLT treatment, BELKIN Vision's non-contact, easy-to-operate one-button Eagle device, as a revolutionary innovation technology in the field of glaucoma laser treatment, is expected to become a first-line treatment option for patients with mild/moderate glaucoma.

Belkin Vision CEO & Co-FounderDaria Lemann Blumenthal Said: "This acquisition agreement brings us closer to realizing our vision of rapid expansion to reach more doctors and patients worldwide.”

# AboutBelkin Vision

In 2013, Professor Michael Belkin and CEO Daria Lemann Blumenthal foundedFocus on the R&D of Glaucoma Laser EquipmentTheBELKIN Vision。

In December 2021, the company received the European Innovation Council (EIC)17.5 million euros in funding support。

July 2020,The company raised $12.3 million in Series B financing, led by Santen Ventures and Rimonci Capital, with follow-up investments from CR-CP Life Science Fund, C-Mer Eye Care Holdings, and BioLight Israeli Life Sciences Investments Ltd.

June 2017,The Company Raised $6.6 Million in Series A Funding, led by ZICOM Holdings, with participation from Rimonci Capital, RAD BioMed Accelerator, and the European Union.

# About Elcon

Alcon was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.Is a global leader inOphthalmic Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Group, with branches in 75 countries and regions worldwide, 5 research and development centers, 14 manufacturing plants, and products sold in more than 180 countries and regions.In 1995, Alcon China was officially established, committed to providing better solutions for ophthalmologists and patients in China.

Henan Elcon Technology Co., Ltd. engages in research, production, and marketing.Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals, Ophthalmic Surgical Equipment, Contact Lens Care ProductsAnd other treatments for diseases, regulating discomfortEye Care Consumer Products。

In 2010, Novartis acquired a 52% stake in Alcon from Nestlé for $28.1 billion. This transaction increased Novartis's total ownership of Alcon to 77%. Starting from January 2010, Novartis officially announced the intention to exercise its option to acquire the remaining shares of Alcon and subsequently proceeded with the merger and acquisition of Alcon in due course.On April 9, 2019, Alcon completed its 100% spin-off from Novartis.Listed simultaneously on the Swiss Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange,New standalone company valued at up to 28 billion Swiss francs。

In February 2024, Alcon announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023. Net sales for the fourth quarter were $2.332 billion, compared to $2.155 billion in the same period last year; quarterly net profit was $427 million, compared to a net loss of $97 million in the same period last year.Net Sales of $9.37 Billion in 2023, $8.654 billion in 2022;Annual profit of $974 million, $335 million in 2022。

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Editor-in-Chief | Zhao Qing Reviewed by | Yi He