Ista Pharmaceuticals Inc., an Irvine eye drug maker, said Monday that a late-stage trial of its Xibrom drug to treat pain after cataract surgery met its main and secondary goals.
The news sent Ista’s shares up 15% on the Nasdaq exchange with a market value of $200 million.
Ista conducted the study for a daily dose of Xibrom. The drug maker already sells a twice-daily version of the drug.
Ista said the study’s primary goal was the absence of eye swelling 15 days following cataract surgery. The secondary goal was eliminating eye pain at day one.
More than 500 patients who underwent cataract surgery participated in the trial.
The drug maker also said that Xibrom produced a lower overall incidence of adverse effects.
Ista acquired marketing rights for Xibrom from Japan’s Senju Pharmaceuticals Co.
