Alimera dry eye emollient drop hits market

Alimera Sciences Inc. introduces its lubricant eye drops, Soothe Emollient, the first multi-dose, emollient-based artificial tear product for dry-eye sufferers. The product is slated to reach U.S. retail stores by Sept. 15.

Using Restoryl, an advanced lipid restorative, Soothe re-establishes the eye's protective lipid layer to reduce tear evaporation and seal essential moisture, giving patients up to 8 hours of comfort.

Alimera Sciences licensed the artificial tear product in November 2003 from Ocular Research of Boston (ORB), a group of eye-care specialists who focus on dry eye research. The agreement combined the medical expertise of ORB with the ophthalmic commercial experience of Alimera Sciences.

"This product was inspired by and developed for dry eye patients," said Donald Korb, MD, ORB president, in a company statement. "Because Soothe restores the compromised lipid layer of patients' tears, regardless of the particular dry eye state, harmful evaporation is minimized and the ocular surface is protected.

"Thus, doctors can be confident that they are giving their patients long-lasting relief," Dr. Korb said. "After years of perfecting the formula and finding the right partner, I am excited that Soothe will be accessible to patients in such a short time."