Bausch & Lomb Acquires Soothe(R) Emollient (Lubricant) Eye Drops from Alimera Sciences; Expands Product Line

  
    
  
  
    
      Bausch & Lomb (NYSE: BOL) today announced its acquisition of Soothe 
      emollient (lubricant) eye drops from Alimera Sciences, a privately-held 
      ophthalmic pharmaceutical company. Financial terms were not disclosed.
    
    
      Bausch & Lomb will expand upon the Soothe brand’s 
      success, establishing a broader line of professionally-recommended, 
      over-the-counter products to relieve dry eye symptoms. The company will 
      initially focus on two technologies, each designed to target a different 
      layer of the tear film.
    
    
      Introduced in 2004, Soothe — now 
      renamed Soothe XP — was the 
      first over-the-counter multi-dose, emollient-based (lubricating) 
      artificial tear product, offering relief to an estimated 12 million 
      Americans who suffer from dry eye. The Soothe XP 
      formulation is unique in that it re-establishes the eye’s 
      protective lipid layer, reducing tear evaporation and sealing in 
      essential moisture, providing up to eight hours of relief from dry eye 
      discomfort. This advanced formula is a meta-stable oil-in-water emulsion — 
      a combination of oils (Restoryl® 
      mixture) and a key interfacial molecule — 
      developed after years of research into replicating the lipid layer of 
      the tear film.
    
    
      Bausch & Lomb has also begun shipping a new over-the-counter 
      formulation, Soothe Lubricant Eye Drops Long Lasting Relief 
      Preservative Free. In an innovative approach to relieving dry eye, this 
      formulation uses a novel hydrophilic polymer to interact with the eye’s 
      mucin layer. The polymer-mucin interaction stabilizes and rebuilds the 
      tear film by forming a scaffolding system, allowing water and the product’s 
      demulcent active ingredients to be retained on the cornea.
    
    
      For a recommendation regarding which Soothe product best meets 
      their individual dry eye needs, consumers should consult their eye care 
      professionals.
    
    
      This transaction follows Bausch & Lomb’s 
      December 2006 purchase of Alimera’s OTC 
      allergy franchise, including Alaway™ 
      (ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution) antihistamine eye drops 
      indicated for up to 12 hours of relief for itchy eyes due to ragweed, 
      pollen, grass, animal hair and dander.
    
    
      “We are pleased that Bausch & Lomb is 
      committed to advancing the growth of the Soothe line, which has 
      been an excellent addition to the market and a good performer for us,” 
      said Dan Myers, president and chief executive of Alimera. “This 
      sale strengthens our cash position, enabling stronger investment and 
      focus behind our strategy of improving the delivery of ocular 
      therapeutics.”
    
    
      “Our pharmaceutical business continues to 
      grow, due in part to the expansion of our OTC product lines,” 
      said Gary Phillips, M.D., corporate vice president and global 
      pharmaceutical category leader for Bausch & Lomb. “The 
      Soothe brand acquisition further strengthens our portfolio, and 
      provides a first-rate platform for further line extensions in this 
      fast-growing segment of the ophthalmic industry.”
    
    
      Soothe products will be widely available at retail stores across 
      the United States, with the potential for future international 
      distribution. Packaging will be changed to reflect Bausch & Lomb 
      branding on a stock turnover basis, beginning immediately.
    
    
      Alimera’s complete divestiture of its 
      over-the-counter portfolio marks the company’s 
      increased focus on improving the delivery of therapeutic agents to 
      enhance patients’ and physicians’ 
      ability to manage ocular conditions — in 
      particular, fluocinolone acetonide (FA) in the Medidur™ 
      delivery technology, an investigational product for the treatment of 
      diabetic macular edema (DME). Alimera Sciences and pSivida Limited 
      (NASDAQ:PSDV, ASX:PSD, Xetra:PSI) have a worldwide agreement to 
      co-develop and market FA in Medidur to treat DME. In April, 
      Alimera and pSivida announced that Phase 3 global clinical trial 
      enrollment for Medidur had exceeded 500 patients.
    
    
      About Alimera Sciences, Inc.
    
    
      Alimera Sciences Inc., a venture backed company, specializes in the 
      development and commercialization of over-the-counter and prescription 
      ophthalmology pharmaceuticals. Founded by an executive team with 
      extensive development and revenue growth expertise, Alimera Sciences’ 
      products are focused on improving the delivery of therapeutic agents to 
      enhance patient’s lives and to strengthen 
      physicians’ ability to manage ocular 
      conditions. For more information, please visit www.alimerasciences.com.
    
    
      About Bausch & Lomb
    
    
      Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company, dedicated to perfecting vision 
      and enhancing life for consumers around the world. Its core businesses 
      include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses and lens care 
      products, and ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The 
      Bausch & Lomb name is one of the best known and most respected 
      healthcare brands in the world. Founded in 1853, the company is 
      headquartered in Rochester, N.Y. Bausch & Lomb’s 
      2006 revenues were more than $2.2 billion; it employs more than 13,000 
      people worldwide and its products are available in more than 100 
      countries. More information can be found at www.bausch.com.
    
    
      Soothe, Restoryl and Alaway are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb 
      Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective 
      owners.