Glaukos taps direct sales force for Canadian iStent launch

Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS) said today it created a direct sales organization to commercially launch its iStent inject trabecular micro-bypass stent for alleviating intra-ocular pressure.

The iStent Inject is made from non-ferromagnetic titanium and coated in heparin, designed to be implanted into multiple trabecular meshwork through a single corneal entry point to reduce IOP, the company said.

“The advent of Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, or MIGS, is revolutionizing the way we treat glaucoma patients and the commercial launch of iStent inject in Canada underscores the continuing advance of this exciting new treatment class,” Dr. Ike Ahmed of the University of Toronto said in a prepared statement.

Laguna Hills, Calif.-based Glaukos won Health Canada approval for the stent with for use in cataract surgeries to treat glaucoma in August last year.

In Canada, the iStent inject is indicated for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery procedures to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma or pigmentary glaucoma, the company said.

“We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring the latest MIGS technologies to Canadian ophthalmic surgeons and their patients. Our investment in Canada demonstrates our continuing commitment to expand our direct sales operations in targeted markets and extend the global reach of our innovative glaucoma solutions,” CEO Thomas Burns said in a press release.

In January, the company touted data from a 3-year study of its iStent that indicated that it, along with cataract surgery, lowered mean intraocular pressure 36% and reduced mean glaucoma medications by 86% 3 years post-surgery.

The study reported a mean IOP of 14.99 mmHg in 39 patients monitored after treatment for 3 years, compared to a mean preoperative IOP of 23.4 mmHG. The mean number of glaucoma medications used after 3 years dropped to 0.3, compared with a preoperative mean of 1.9 medications.

No operative complications were reported, but 5 secondary surgeries, 2 postoperative ocular ocular sequelae and 2 non-ocular adverse events were reported, Laguna Hills, Calif.-based Glaukos said.

The post Glaukos taps direct sales force for Canadian iStent launch appeared first on MassDevice.

from MassDevice http://ift.tt/1nJ9n7H