ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., was a US-based pharmaceutical company that specialized in ophthalmic pharmaceutical products and discovers, develops, and markets therapies for inflammation, ocular pain, glaucoma, allergy, and dry eye.[1] ISTA was acquired by Bausch & Lomb, an eye care company, on March 26, 2012.[2] Under the deal, Bausch & Lomb have agreed to pay $9.10 per share for ISTA, bringing the total value of the acquisition to $500 million.[3] In 2012, Valeant Pharmaceuticals withdrew its $360 million offer.[4]
Products
Bromday (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.09% for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract extraction[5]
Bepreve (bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution) 1.5% for the treatment of itching associated with signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis[6]
Xibrom (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.09% for the treatment of inflammation and pain following cataract surgery (no longer being manufactured as of February 2011)
Istalol (timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) 0.5% for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma[7]
Vitrase (hyaluronidase injection) Ovine, 200 USP units/mL for use as an adjuvant to increase the absorption and dispersion of other injected drugs; for hypodermoclysis; and as an adjunct in subcutaneous urography for improving resorption of radiopaque agents[8]
Litigation
On May 24, 2013, ISTA Pharmaceuticals entered a guilty plea to federal felony charge of conspiracy to introduce a misbranded drug into interstate commerce and conspiracy to pay illegal remuneration in violation of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute. ISTA agreed to pay $33.5 million to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from its marketing, distribution and sale of its drug Xibrom.[9]
