Spiral Lens Offers New Design for Contacts, IOLs

• Researchers in France have designed a spiral-shaped lens that is able to provide clear focus over a wide range of distances and lighting conditions. In the near future, the lens could be used in contact lenses and intraocular lenses (IOLs), according to the researchers, who published their findings in the February 2024 issue of the journal Optica.

The idea for the lens came to Laurent Galinier, founder and director general of Spiral SAS in Bordeaux, France, and first author of the Optica paper, when he was examining the lens deformities in patients with corneal disease. Galinier, who coauthored the paper with scientists from the French National Center for Scientific Research, noted that the irregular contours of these lenses reflected light differently. The idea culminated in the concept of incorporating the components of an optical vortex–an effect that causes light to spin–into the lens surface. This technology could be useful in designing contacts and IOLs for presbyopia, as well as nearsightedness, astigmatism, and other conditions.

Future work will focus, as the article states, on “optimizing the design parameters, such as the shape and distribution of the spiral, to enhance performance across various apertures and focal zones.”

Expanded Market for Tecnis PureSee

• Johnson & Johnson Medtech announced on February 15 that its Tecnis PureSee presbyopia-correcting IOL is now available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). “Today, we’re proud to launch the Tecnis PureSee IOL, giving surgeons and patients the choice of a premium IOL that combines clarity of vision and reduced visual symptoms,” Jacqueline Henderson, President, EMEA, Johnson & Johnson Vision, said in a press release.

The Tecnis PureSee IOL combines excellent distance and intermediate vision with functional near vision while reducing halos and glare similar to a monofocal IOL. “A key concern for patients who chose a premium IOL is whether their vision correction surgery meets their expectations both in regard to the level of spectacle independence and quality of vision,” said Francesco Carones, MD, medical director and CEO of Advalia Vision in Milan, Italy, noting that his experience with the IOL “has been extremely positive and has consistently delivered on these expectations resulting in very happy patients.”

The EMEA launch follows on the heels of a launch last fall in South Korea and reports of the successful first implantation of the PureSee in New Zealand. It is not yet known when the Tecnis PureSee will be available in the United States.

Ace Announces New CSO

• Ace Vision Group, Inc., the ophthalmic laser device company that introduced Laser Scleral Microporation (LSM), announced last month the hiring of a new scientific officer. Val Kolesnitchenko, MD, comes to Boston-based Ace from Bausch + Lomb, where he was executive director of global scientific affairs. Dr. Kolesnitchenko spent 13 years at B+L, with a short tenure working in medical affairs at Alcon in 2020-2022.

“I look forward to working with Ace Vision Group on this revolutionary approach to presbyopia,” said Dr. Kolesnitchenko in a press release. “LSM can treat the progressive problem throughout the lifecycle of this disease, opening new doors for treatment of the aging eye, and I am excited to lead a team as we research and communicate the fascinating science behind this therapy.”

Ace CEO AnnMarie Hipsley commented on Dr. Kolesnitchenko’s “impressive record of effectively connecting with cross-functional team members to facilitate clinical studies and advising on device regulatory and technical requirements.” At Ace, Dr. Kolesnitchenko joins recently recruited chief medical officer Rob Kissling, MD, as well as four new advisory board members, all hired in November. This year is the third in a row in which Ace’s C-suite has grown.

Ocuphire C-Suite Expands

• Elsewhere in corporate hiring, Ocuphire, the Farmington Hills, MI-based pharma company, announced in February its hiring of a new chief scientific and development officer and a new chief financial officer. Ash Jayagopal, PhD, the new CSDO, is current president of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics and comes to Ocuphire after stints at Roche, Kodiak Sciences, and Opus Genetics. The new CFO, Nirav Jhaveri, CFA, MBA, has a long resume of experience in the biotech sector.

In a press release, Dr. Jayagopal said, “I am excited to join the talented Ocuphire team that has a successful track record in drug development and execution.” Mr. Jhaveri added, “Ocuphire has demonstrated a commitment to addressing an unmet need in ophthalmic disease, and I am eager to contribute to its success by helping the company advance to the next stage of growth.”

Ocuphire has a partnership with Viatris, Inc., to develop and commercialize phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75%. In September 2023, the FDA approved Ryzumvi (phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75%) to treat pharmacologically induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists or parasympatholytic agents. The company also has a phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% in phase 3 trials for the treatment of presbyopia and decreased visual acuity in dim light conditions.

Positive Curve Data for VTI’s EDOF Lens

• Visioneering Technologies, Inc. (VTI), reported in January positive defocus curve data about its NaturalVue  Enhanced Multifocal Day 1 contact lens at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium in Las Vegas. In a presentation given by Dr. Douglas P. Benoit, VTI’s executive director of medical affairs, the data showed that the NaturalVue, an enhanced depth of focus (EDOF) lens, provided a full range of functional vision, which was superior to 20/40 binocular vision through up to 3 D of optical vergence demand. The lens also preserved distance vision with no decrease in visual acuity compared to best-corrected spectacle vision at distance.

“The strong visual acuities observed indicate patients experienced minimal degradation across a wide visual range, suggesting the universal ADD enables rapid adaptation and represents a solution for presbyopes of all ages,” VTI said in a press release. “Eye care practitioners can provide a solution to presbyopic patients who want to continue contact lens wear without sacrificing clarity or functional visual range even as their visual needs increase with age.”