Osaka-based Santen has acquired Fort Worth, TX-based Eyevance, which develops topical ophthalmic products, for $225 million.
“We’re very pleased to have entered into this agreement,” said Shigeo Taniuchi, Santen president and CEO. “Through this purchase, we will quickly establish a business base in the U.S. and both humbly face and further contribute to the needs of a greater number of patients by offering more value. At the same time, we will accelerate global business rollout by gaining access to the U.S. and our presence in the market, aiming for even further corporate growth and contribution to ophthalmic treatments for people around the world.”
Santen Holdings U.S. Inc. bought all outstanding shares of Eyevance Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. Eyevance is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Santen. Visovanq (sterile vancomycin ophthalmic ointment) and Nexagon (ophthalmic gel for persistent corneal epithelial defects), both of which were being developed by Eyevance, were carved out of the transaction with Santen and are excluded from the purchase.
Founded in 2017, Eyevance has developed and commercialized topical ophthalmic products targeting the ocular surface and anterior segment. Within this area of focus, Eyevance currently offers anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal, anti-infective/anti-inflammatory fixed combination, and tear lubricant products. Eyevance’s current commercialization strategy is supported by a national sales team exclusively targeting ophthalmologists, optometrists and allergists throughout the U.S.
“Eyevance is proud of its accomplishments over the past three years and looks forward to joining Santen, one of the leading ophthalmic companies worldwide, with its innovative R&D expertise and legacy of global success,” said co-founders Jerry St. Peter, CEO and director, and Jason Werner, COO, Eyevance Pharmaceuticals LLC, in a press release. “We are excited to become part of Santen’s U.S. organization, to work in collaboration to further strengthen the existing commercial business. As Eyevance embarks on this new journey with Santen, we sincerely appreciate the Eyevance Team and its shareholders for their unwavering support and continuous pursuit of excellence.”