The year 2023 is coming to an end.Every company has its own areas of expertise.The motivations behind the acquisition are mostly complementary advantages and business synergy.The following top ten acquisitions from around the globe collectively reflect the innovation and collaborative progress within the ophthalmology industry in response to the evolving clinical needs worldwide.As the main players in the market unite and pool resources, the field of ophthalmic research and development will continue to usher in a new era of further breakthroughs.Laid the foundation for subsequent major collaborations and advancements.
01
Bausch+Lomb / AcuFocus
January 2023,Bausch+Lomb Announces Acquisition of IC-8 Apthera Intraocular Lens (IOL) The strategic plan of AcuFocus, Inc. This acquisition throughBausch+LombThe transaction was conducted by one of Bausch+Lomb's subsidiaries through a comprehensive deal merging with AcuFocus’s parent company. Although the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, this move significantly strengthens Bausch+Lomb's cataract surgery product portfolio.The focus of this acquisition is the FDA-approved IC-8, a breakthrough small-aperture non-toric extended depth-of-focus IOL developed by AcuFocus. In July 2022, the FDA approved this IOL as the first and only small-aperture non-toric extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens for cataract patients with up to 1.5 diopters (D) of corneal astigmatism who also wish to address presbyopia (for cataract surgery, the optical properties of the cornea are crucial for postoperative visual quality). The Apthera IOL incorporates a patented FilterRing™ component within the lens to help improve patients' vision. This FilterRing creates a small aperture that allows focused light to enter the eye while filtering out unfocused light that causes blurriness. By filtering peripheral defocused and distorted light that reduces image quality, it delivers centrally focused light to the retina, making it suitable for 82% of cataract patients. It receivedCE Mark, and has already been sold in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and some European markets.AboutIC-8 For the application status and doctor feedback in the aforementioned market, refer to the previous text.Global Perspectives on Presbyopia Correction Solutions (I)；Global Perspectives on Presbyopia Correction Solutions (II)。
02
TFS / AppleTree
January 2023,TFS HealthScience Announces Successful Acquisition of CRO and Global Regulatory Affairs Service Provider Appletree CI Group, Marking a Significant Advancement in the Contract Research Organization (CRO) FieldAppletree CI Group, established in 2013 through the merger of Clinical Investigations and Appletree AG, has been acquired by TFS. TFS stated that the acquisition of Appletree will support its goal of becoming a market leader in ophthalmology research. "This is a significant milestone for our company as we complete our first acquisition in the ophthalmology sector, establishing a clear leadership position in a niche industry that highly values expertise, given that clinical trials and strategies for ophthalmic indications adhere to specific rules and regulations."
This collaboration expands the global reach of TFS and Appletree CI Group clients, offering a broader range of expertise and resources in clinical research and regulatory affairs. The two companies will now provide customers with complementary and extended service options, including specialized ophthalmic treatment with greater global impact.
03
HCP / SightLife
March 2023,HCP Cureblindness Announcement of AcquisitionSightLife International, marking a significant consolidation in the field of eye health non-profit organizations. Over the next 12 months, the integration of systems, processes, and brands will be carried out, solidifying the merger of these two entities in their shared mission to combat global blindness.HCP Cureblindness and SightLife International are both established non-profit organizations in eye health, with a long-standing collaboration history of up to 13 years. Their joint efforts have focused on various initiatives in Nepal and Ethiopia, including clinical training, eye bank development, advocacy, and prevention programs. This acquisition builds on the foundation of this long-term partnership, enabling the merged organization to further expand its impact and make significant contributions to global efforts in blindness prevention and treatment.04
Black Pearl Vision / PolyDev
May 2023Black Pearl Vision, recognized as the world's only Black and woman-owned contact lens manufacturer, has completed the acquisition of PolyDev.Black Pearl Vision, formerly known as Hydrogel Vision Corp., is renowned for its Extreme H2O product line, which stands out due to its unique features that enhance the personalized experience of contact lens wear.PolyDev is a renowned Irish manufacturer known for its expertise in producing colored contact lenses, particularly TORIColors, a unique molded opaque cosmetic contact lens specifically designed for patients with astigmatism.This strategic move enables Black Pearl Vision to expand its product line, now offering opaque colored contact lenses in toric, plano, and spherical parameters. TORIColors, the exclusive molded opaque contact lenses designed for astigmatism patients, now operates as a subsidiary of Black Pearl Vision. This acquisition brings PolyDev's state-of-the-art 2,500-square-foot manufacturing facility, located in Dunleer, Ireland, under Black Pearl Vision’s ownership. The deal, expected to be completed in June with an undisclosed amount, marks a significant milestone for both companies. Meanwhile, Black Pearl Vision has expanded the TORIColors line by introducing plano and spherical colored contact lenses. These monthly disposable lenses are available in four captivating colors: Sea Breeze Blue, Emerald Green, Golden Amber, and Horizon Gray. With these new additions, Black Pearl Vision aims to provide customers with a broader range of choices to meet diverse preferences and needs.
05
Astellas/$5.9 Billion/Iveric Bio
July 2023,Astellas announced the completion of its acquisition of IVERIC bio, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of ophthalmic therapies, with a pipeline including Aptamer and AAV gene therapies. This offer represents a significant 22% premium over IVERIC bio's closing price on April 28, highlighting the value potential of IVERIC bio’s late-stage asset GA drug. Valued at up to $5.9 billion, this acquisition underscores Astellas Pharma’s strategic focus on expanding its portfolio and enhancing its ability to meet critical medical needs, particularly in the field of ophthalmology. In August, IVERIC bio announced FDA approval for its nucleic acid aptamer drug Avacincaptad pegol for the treatment of GA, marketed under the brand name Izervay.
On April 30, 2023, Astellas and IVERIC Bio announced that the two companies had entered into a definitive agreement under which Astellas, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Berry Merger Sub, Inc., of Astellas US Holding, Inc., agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of IVERIC Bio for $40.00 per share in cash, valuing the company at approximately $5.9 billion in total equity. In the acquisition, IVERIC Bio became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Astellas. The total equity value of IVERIC Bio in the acquisition assumes approximately 148.2 million fully diluted shares of IVERIC Bio common stock outstanding. This acquisition price represents a 64% premium over IVERIC Bio's unaffected closing stock price of $24.33 on March 31, 2023, and a 75% premium over the 30-day volume-weighted average price as of March 31, 2023. Notably, another complement company, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, had a market capitalization of $9.693 billion at that time.Regarding another Japanese company applying nucleic acid aptamer therapy to eye retinal diseases, refer to the previous article:New Targets and Technologies - Non-Targeted VEGF "Chemical Antibody": Can a New Era of Treatment for Neovascular AMD Arrive?
06
VSS / OSS
August 2023,Vantage Surgical Solutions (VSS), a renowned provider of mobile surgical solutions, has acquired Ophthalmic Surgical Solutions (OSS), a prominent company specializing in ophthalmic surgical equipment and services. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Vantage Surgical Solutions' growth strategy, solidifying its leading position in the ophthalmic surgery industry.
Since its establishment in 1991, VSS has been at the forefront of equipping facilities with specialized surgical services, serving customers across 23 states. Currently, the company offers a comprehensive range of cataract surgery equipment, including IOLs (intraocular lenses), instruments, disposables, expert personnel, and essential supplies. These resources enable hospitals, surgical centers, and physicians to provide the highest quality cataract surgery experience to local communities. OSS, founded in 2015, brings a wealth of expertise and experience that complements VSS's existing capabilities. The integration of OSS into the VSS framework is expected to generate dynamic synergies, expanding the range of surgical solutions and services offered by the combined entity. This acquisition strengthens the combined capabilities to reach a broader audience across the United States.
07
BVI / Medical Mix
September 2023,BVI recently achieved strategic progress on its growth trajectory through the acquisition of Medical Mix, a specialized medical device company focused on ophthalmic surgeries in Spain and Portugal. BVI now offers a comprehensive product portfolio specifically designed to treat various eye conditions, including cataracts, retinal diseases, and glaucoma, further solidifying its position as a key player in the ophthalmology industry.Medical Mix, as a long-term distributor of BVI intraocular lenses (IOLs) since 2008, consumables since 2012, and equipment since 2019, has played a key role in promoting BVI products.This acquisition demonstrates BVI's ongoing journey of expansion and transformation, which has maintained strong momentum since 2018. With a well-established direct sales channel and robust infrastructure, BVI has successfully expanded its European footprint to cover all major Western European markets. This remarkable expansion represents a noteworthy achievement, especially when compared to the company’s operations in only three markets five years ago.08
Amgen / $278 Billion / Horizon
October 2023,Amgen Announces Completion of Acquisition of Horizon. At the end of 2022, Amgen emerged victorious from its competition with Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi, announcing a $27.8 billion deal to bring Horizon under its umbrella. After 10 months, this acquisition has finally been completed. In May this year, in an attempt to block Amgen’s acquisition of Horizon, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Amgen, arguing that the transaction would allow Amgen to leverage its existing portfolio to solidify Horizon's monopoly on treatments for Thyroid Eye Disease (Tepezza) and chronic gout (Krystexxa), stating that the deal would "stifle" competition in the pharmaceutical industry. In September, the FTC reached a settlement with Amgen and announced it would allow Amgen to proceed with the $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon, paving the way for Amgen to enhance its product portfolio and consolidate its market position. The terms agreed upon between Amgen and the FTC include specific provisions aimed at maintaining competition and fair markets, with Amgen being subject to injunctions, including restrictions on bundling its own products with Horizon’s key therapeutic products such as Tepezza and Krystexxa.Horizon’s Two Key Orphan Drugs – TEPEZZA and Krystexxa. The former, TEPEZZA, was acquired by Horizon in 2017 for $145 million through the acquisition of River Vision Development Corp. The latter, Krystexxa, is a product licensed by Horizon from Duke University and Mountain View Pharmaceuticals.
09
Amring / Visant
December 2023Amring, a subsidiary of Nordic Group BV, has successfully completed the acquisition of Visant Medical, Inc. This strategic move combines Nordic Pharma's pharmaceutical expertise with Visant's FDA-approved...Hyaluronic Acid DerivativesLACRIFILL® Punctal Plug Products. LACRIFILL is designed to temporarily block tear drainage by occluding the punctal system.
Nordic Plans to Launch and Commercialize LACRIFILL in the U.S. This acquisition will significantly strengthen Nordic's position in the global ophthalmology market, marking the U.S. debut of the patented DED therapy, LACRIFILL. This will be the second branded medical device that Nordic Pharma launches in the U.S., complementing its existing leading brands. Following the anticipated U.S. launch of LACRIFILL in 2024, Nordic Pharma plans to seek regulatory approvals to bring the product to markets worldwide.。
10
Carl Zeiss Meditec / 1 billion USD / DORC
December 2023,ZEISS Announces Major Strategic Move to Acquire DORC Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (International) B.V.ZEISS has announced a significant strategic move, agreeing to acquire 100% of the shares of DORC Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (International) B.V. from Eurazeo SE, headquartered in Paris, France. This major acquisition, valued at €985 million (approximately $1.09 billion), will bring transformative advancements to ZEISS Meditec's extensive ophthalmic portfolio. The integration of DORC into Carl Zeiss Meditec AG’s offerings is expected to address a wide range of eye conditions, including retinal diseases, cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors.
One of the main highlights of this acquisition is the inclusion of the EVA NEXUS platform,This platform is the most advanced dualOne of the functional systems. The EVA NEXUS platform is the cornerstone of an impressive product portfolio, featuring a dual-function system along with a complete set of accessories, instruments, and staining solutions. This comprehensive solution is designed to excel in various surgical procedures, covering vitreoretinal (VR), cataract, and combined surgeries. Surgeons can now rely on a single platform to handle a range of surgical types, streamlining workflows and enhancing overall efficiency. The new EVA NEXUS phaco-vitrectomy machine can be used for minimally invasive surgeries for fundus diseases, including vitrectomy and combined vitrectomy-cataract surgeries, and can apply VisionBlue Trypan Blue Lens Capsule Staining Solution for staining and/or identifying the anterior lens capsule. The new EVA NEXUS phaco-vitrectomy machine introduces several innovations, including SmartIOP technology, which can be combined with the existing EquiPhaco technology to optimize control in cataract surgery. Additionally, it includes EVA AVETA, an innovative trocar system with push-in infusion connections and unique laser-etched retention features to help reinforce the sclera.
Conclusion
ReturnObserving Ophthalmology in ChinaField，Although Chinese enterprises and overseas industry giants are at different stages of industrial development and have different competitive advantages, it is still possible to seeOphthalmic pharmaceuticals and devices in China that have already gained a first-mover advantageEnterpriseIt is also actively interacting with the global market and attempting to align with market standards.And besidesThese leading companies are considering the direction of mergers and acquisitions integration amid the downturn.Perhaps it will also be坚守创业阵线.Start-up pharmaceutical and medical device enterprisesOfLittle Warm Sun,Or complementary technologies to strengthen the product pipeline,Or strong-strong integrationLocal markets, etc.Mountains and seas are not far apart, and those who resonate share the same heart. Salute to all entrepreneurs.Source: Official Media/Online News
