New brimonidine formula approved for market

Irvine, CA-Allergan Inc. announces it has received FDA approval to market its brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.1% (Alphagan P) for the lowering of IOP in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

The new product is an optimized formulation of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2%. No specific market launch date for the product has been set yet, according to Heather Katt, corporate communications manager for Allergan.

"Our goal in developing Alphagan P been to ensure maximal efficacy of brimonidine with the least drug exposure possible," said Scott Whitcup, MD, Allergan's executive vice president, research and development. "By improving bioavailability compared with the original Alphagan 0.2%, we have managed to decrease drug concentration by half without sacrificing efficacy."

Jeffrey L. Edwards, Allergan's corporate vice president, corporate development, since 2002, succeeds Brandt. Edwards joined the company in 1993, and worked in tax, treasury, and investor relations areas.