Sirion, AVR promote retinal and meibomian gland health

Tampa, FL

-Sirion Therapeutics Inc. has entered into an agreement with Advanced Vision Research Inc. (AVR) of Woburn, MA, to co-promote AVR’s new oral retinal nutritional supplement (MacuTrition) and its product for meibomian gland therapy (NutriDox Convenience Kit). Sirion’s sales force will promote actively the two products as well as provide sampling for the company’s line of topical drops to treat dry eye.

The oral nutritional supplement aims to address the factors that threaten long-term eye and general health. These factors include oxidation, inflammation, and neovascularization, which also are risks in patients with macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The supplement includes a combination of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and anti-angiogenics that include fish oil omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, green tea extract, and vitamin E.

Meibomitis is a precursor to meibomian gland dysfunction. The condition is characterized by excess bacteria in the eye lid margins, increased vascularization of the lids, and loss of normal meibomian gland anatomy and function, which contribute to decreased quality and quantity of meibomian lips, tear-film lipid layer deficiency, and increased tear-film evaporation. The convenience kit includes doxycycline (75 mg), an omega-3 supplement with optimized flaxseed/fish oil blend (TheraTears Nutrition), and a portable warm compress system for symptom relief (iHeat).

“Sirion and [AVR] share a joint focus on healthy eyes for patients through clinical research and innovation in ocular disease,” said Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, founder, chief executive officer, and chief scientific officer of AVR, in a prepared statement. Dr. Gilbard also is a clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and director of the Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease Clinic at the New England Eye Center, Boston.

“Sirion’s resources and specialized sales force will be instrumental in helping AVR promote retinal and meibomian gland health and provide relief for dry-eye patients,” he said.