ReVision Optics Inc. in Lake Forest said study results on its Raindrop product showed “significantly improved near and immediate vision” in patients with presbyopia.
The microscopic hydrogel inlay is inserted in the cornea of a patient’s nondominant eye, intended to reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses. The Food and Drug Administration gave it premarket approval in June.
Presbyopia reduces the eye’s ability to focus and is present in nearly everyone over age 40.
“The FDA is about ‘safe and effective,’” said Chief Executive John Kilcoyne. “This is the science and mechanism side of Raindrop.”
Results were published in peer-reviewed trade publication Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science in a ReVision-sponsored study.
Kilcoyne said the company is undertaking an ongoing study “to assess additional indications” that currently includes checking whether the hydrogel inlay could help improve vision following cataract surgery.
Revision is “currently enrolling a U.S. (investigational device exemption) study to implant Raindrop and monofocal (intraocular lenses),” he said.
The FDA last year signed off last year on another presbyopia treatment called Kamra, which is made by Irvine-based AcuFocus Inc.
Comings and Growings
Precision for Value, which consults with healthcare companies, will enter the Orange County market in November to join its sister company, healthcare marketer Precision Effect. The two will take 15,000 square feet near Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa—a 50% jump in space from the 10,000 square feet Precision Effect now has at MacArthur Place in Santa Ana.
The firms and a third company, Precision Medicine, which doesn’t have a location here, are part of Precision Medicine Group in Bethesda, Md.
PMG clients include device makers and pharmaceutical companies from “early on, looking at data,” to “let’s do some studies and talk to health plans,” to “what’s your brand going to look like,” said Precision Effect President Carolyn Morgan.
She said “cross-pollination” among the three companies happens regularly and that the new offices will add about 10 employees to the 50 PMG has here now.
“We see potential for innovation and (raising) the standard of care.”
Meanwhile, Collidion Inc., based in Petaluma, where it has its manufacturing and research and development, plans to take space in Newport Beach for sales, marketing and business development, said co-founder William Watson, who lives on the peninsula.
Collidion has three divisions:
• Avenlogics Inc., scheduled to launch anti-infective products this year to fight bacteria, viruses and fungi.
• Koresta Therapeutics Inc., which is in preclinical trials for two HIV treatments.
• Xeraderm Therapeutics, which develops generic versions of brand-name dermatology products.
Watson said Collidion will grow to about 20 local employees. Cushman & Wakefield found its space here and in Petaluma.
Company co-founder Hoji Alimi is based in Petaluma.
The partners took Petaluma-based specialty pharmaceutical company Oculus Innovative Sciences Inc. public in 2007.
Growth Move
Vitas Healthcare Inc. in Irvine moved down the street from 220 Commerce to 310 Commerce for future growth. The hospice and palliative care company has 243 employees and cares for 400 people a day throughout Orange County.
The company employs 12,000 in 15 states. It’s based in Miami and is part of Chemed Corp. in Cincinnati, a $2.2 billion market-cap firm that also owns plumbing services provider Roto-Rooter Corp.
Bits & Pieces
The National Cancer Institute renewed UC Irvine Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center’s comprehensive cancer center designation with an “excellent” rating—the highest in its quarter-century as an NCI-designated cancer center. … Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach introduced Hoag for Her, with services that include acupuncture, nutrition and fitness counseling, and exercise programs. … Kaiser Permanente in Anaheim was rated “high performing” in six procedures or conditions—orthopedics, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, hip replacement and knee replacement—in U.S. News & World Report’s 2016-17 Best Hospitals for Specialty Care rankings.
—Vita Reed contributed to this report.
