OCUMEDIC, GELEST INC. ENTER AGREEMENT FOR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

OcuMedic Inc., a developer of new proprietary, drug-eluting soft contact lens/clear corneal bandage technology to replace eye drops, announced that it has entered into an exclusive supply agreement with and received a strategic investment from Gelest Inc., a supplier to the global contact lens market.

The OcuMedic technology provides contact lens manufacturers with the ability to deliver comfort agents to extend the wear time of daily-use lenses. According to OcuMedic, the technology is designed to eliminate patients’ therapeutic burden of having to treat themselves, which can lead to compliance problems and associated complications.

Under the terms of the agreement, Gelest will manufacture and supply OcuMedic’s key chemistry components necessary for the controlled release of drugs under OcuMedic’s intellectual property for clear or corrective extended-wear contact lenses/corneal bandages that deliver a wide variety of drugs. Initial indications will be for the treatment of inflammation and pain post-cataract and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery and from corneal abrasions as well as for under-development conditions such as glaucoma and dry eye. ■

ALLERGAN SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE PROPOSED ACQUISITION BY ABBVIE

Allergan plc announced that its shareholders have voted to approve the previously announced proposed acquisition of Allergan by AbbVie Inc. Under the terms of the agreement announced on June 25, 2019, AbbVie will acquire Allergan in a cash and stock transaction for a transaction equity value of approximately $63 billion, based on the closing price of AbbVie’s common stock of $78.45 on June 24, 2019. Allergan shareholders will receive 0.8660 AbbVie Shares and $120.30 in cash for each Allergan share, for a total consideration of $188.24 per Allergan share. The transaction is expected to close in early 2020, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. ■

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ABB OPTICAL GROUP REVEALS 2019 ABB CARES WINNERS

ABB Optical Group announced that seven non-profit organizations, nominated by eyecare professionals nationwide, will receive grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for outstanding programming and community impact through the Sixth Annual ABB Cares Program. Since the program’s inception, it has donated more than $65,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States.

A platinum ABB Cares grant of $5,000 was awarded to Fargo, ND-based BIO Girls. Gold ABB Cares grants of $2,500 were awarded to Lakeshore Food 4 Kids and Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge. Additionally, four organizations received silver ABB Cares grants of $1,000: It’s a Sensory World, Sandy Feet Initiative, The Camphill School, and Vision is Priceless.

For more information about the ABB Cares program and this year’s recipients, visit www.abboptical.com/about-us/pressroom . ■

OCULUS LICENSES PREDICTIVE ALGORITHM TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED BY BHVI

Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) and Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH announced an agreement in which Oculus will incorporate BHVI’s algorithms for tracking and estimating refractive error into its Myopia Master ophthalmic instruments. Oculus, BHVI, and the Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center (its collaboration partner) will continue to work together to develop further functionality of Oculus’ Myopia Master featuring myopia management software incorporating a unique refractive outcome algorithm.

In unrelated news, BHVI launched its Myopia Education Program. All three courses are available in an anytime, anywhere format, which enables eyecare professionals to complete the program in their own time. Participants have a six-week time frame in which to complete the courses. ■

NECO HOSTS INDUSTRY & EMPLOYER RELATIONS MEETING

The New England College of Optometry (NECO) recently hosted its first Industry & Employer Relations Meeting, which brought together about 75 participants from areas such as private practice optometry, corporate optometry, optometric alliances, academia, and various sectors of the industry, such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, managed vision care, telemedicine, and the media.

In addition to tours of facilities, the two-day meeting included presentations on didactic education (by Erik Weissberg, OD, vice president and dean, academic affairs), clinical education (Kristin Brown, OD, associate dean, clinical affairs), student life (Sandra Mohr, EdD, dean, academic resources and administration), Eyetech, the college’s center for innovation (Gary Chu, OD, MPH, vice president of professional affairs), and faculty and student panels moderated by Dr. Chu.

Throughout the meeting, both presenters and attendees discussed a diverse set of issues facing optometric education, including changing demographics, academic demands, clinical expectations, the student experience, mental health obstacles, and student debt. ■

—Jim Thomas, contributing editor

J&J VISION TO CEASE CUSTOMER-FACING OPERATIONS FOR SIGHTBOX

Johnson & Johnson Vision (J&J Vision) announced that it will cease customer-facing operations for Sightbox, its U.S.-based online contact lens subscription service, while it evaluates options for the business over the next few months. The company said that this was a strategic decision and will enable it to focus its connected commerce investments, which remain a priority, in other program areas.

Sightbox will ship existing members their remaining annual contact lens subscriptions free of charge but will accept no renewals nor new subscriptions during the evaluation period. Johnson & Johnson Vision is reducing the Sightbox workforce but maintaining some roles key to the evaluation process. ■

HARRIS POLL SAYS PARENTS NEED TO BE EDUCATED ABOUT MYOPIA

A CooperVision study completed by The Harris Poll found that while one in four children in the United States is myopic, only 33% of parents know what the term means or how it can affect their children’s eyesight. In fact, parents were more knowledgeable about the flu (93%), ear infections (86%), and lice (80%) compared with myopia (65%). The survey included 1,000 U.S. parents who have children between the ages of 8 and 15. For an infographic on the results, visit https://coopervision.com/protect-kids-vision . ■

AAOF ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) announced the recipients of the 2019 Vincent Salierno Scholarships. The recipients include Kenneth Dang, New England College of Optometry; Mark Calixte, Nova Southeastern University School of Optometry; Christopher Muegge, Southern College of Optometry; Ryan Sandberg, Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University; and Sarah Supak, University of Houston College of Optometry.

Students pursuing a doctorate of optometry degree are nominated by their institution for this scholarship. Each recipient will receive $2,000 to apply to his or her tuition. The Vincent Salierno Scholarship is eligible for automatic renewal provided that the recipient maintains a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and is enrolled in a full-time course of study leading to a doctorate of optometry degree. Continued eligibility shall be determined annually.

In other news, the AAOF, in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Vision, announced the 2019 J. Pat Cummings Scholarship recipients. This award is bestowed annually to second- or third-year optometry students who best demonstrate the ideal eyecare standards of practice, achievement in both academic performance and extracurricular activities, and participation with other professional pursuits such as involvement with patients through internships, community service, and other volunteer activities.

The full list of recipients is available at https://www.aaopt.org/home/aaof/news-detail/2019/10/28/american-academy-of-optometry-foundation-is-pleased-to-announce-the-2019-johnson-johnson-vision-j.-pat-cummings-scholarship-recipients . ■

OPTOMETRY GIVING SIGHT ESTABLISHES NEW BOARD

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has established a new board of directors to oversee the organization. Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón, president of CooperVision’s Specialty Eye Care Division, is the president of the new board. He previously served as Optometry Giving Sight’s chair of its Advisory Council U.S.A. and was on its Global Board for several years.

Joining Dr. Aragón on the board are Dr. Howard Purcell, president and CEO of New England College of Optometry; Yvette Waddell, CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation; Dr. Susan Cooper, former president of the World Council of Optometry; and Dr. Earl Smith, former dean of the University of Houston College of Optometry. ■

COOPERCOMPANIES SELECTS TWO CHARITABLE GIVING BENEFICIARIES

CooperCompanies has selected Optometry Giving Sight and March of Dimes as the beneficiaries of its new global charitable giving program. Through the Cooper Giving program, company employees can donate year-round to both nonprofits, with Cooper providing a one-for-one match of up to $5,000 annually per employee.

Also, the company will continue to encourage local philanthropic efforts, supporting communities in which employees live and work. These contributions are part of Cooper’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ■