It’s only the second week of January, but Bausch + Lomb has made a flurry of moves to ring in the new year.
In just a few days, Bausch + Lomb (Vaughan, Ontario) has rolled out three major updates that are setting the tone for an ambitious 2025. From a product launch in Europe to a pipeline-boosting acquisition and an exciting new partnership, here’s everything you need to know about the eye care powerhouse’s big week.
1. Launch of enVista Aspire™ IOLs in Europe
Bausch + Lomb announced the launch of its enVista Aspire™ Intermediate Optimized Monofocal and Toric Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) in the European Union. Following CE Mark approval late last year, these lenses are now ready to improve cataract surgeries across Europe.
So, what makes them special? The enVista Aspire monofocal IOLs provide a broader depth of focus compared to conventional lenses, while the toric variant addresses astigmatism with “exceptional rotational stability”, thanks to Bausch + Lomb’s proprietary AccuSet haptic design. Both variants feature StableFlex™ technology for controlled unfolding during implantation and glistening-free optic material for superior clarity, according to the company.
“Surgeons around the world have long known the benefits of the enVista platform,” said Luc Bonnefoy, president of Surgical at Bausch + Lomb. “In the U.S., where enVista Aspire is currently available, surgeons and their patients appreciate the features of these monofocal lenses that are designed for a broader depth of focus, and we look forward to offering that feature in Europe as part of our comprehensive IOL portfolio.”
With this launch, the company is expanding its presence in the competitive European IOL market while offering patients what the company claims to be a higher quality of life through enhanced visual outcomes.
See more about the enVista Aspire™ IOLs here.
2. Acquisition of Whitecap Biosciences
In a bid to strengthen its clinical pipeline, Bausch + Lomb has acquired Whitecap Biosciences, a biopharma company specializing in treatments for glaucoma and geographic atrophy (GA). Whitecap’s investigational therapies, particularly WB007, a highly potent alpha-2 adrenergic agonist for glaucoma, have shown promise in addressing unmet needs in these challenging areas of ophthalmology.
“We’re focused on finding treatments that address unmet needs or significantly improve upon the current standard of care,” explained the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Research & Development at Bausch + Lomb, Dr. Yehia Hashad.
He highlighted glaucoma and geographic atrophy as areas where there is significant potential for innovation, emphasizing that Whitecap Biosciences’ therapies offer real promise in slowing vision loss and even perhaps improving vision in glaucoma patients.
This acquisition underscores Bausch + Lomb’s focus on advancing innovative solutions for complex ocular diseases, particularly those with limited treatment options.
Read the full press release here.
3. Collaboration with City Therapeutics for RNAi-based therapy
In a pioneering step toward RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapies, Bausch + Lomb has partnered with City Therapeutics (Cambridge, MA, United States) to develop a novel treatment for geographic atrophy (GA). The collaboration marks City Therapeutics’ first major corporate partnership and reflects Bausch + Lomb’s interest in leveraging next-generation RNAi technologies to address the irreversible vision loss caused by GA.
City Therapeutics will develop a clinical candidate using its RNAi engineering platform, targeting specific disease pathways for intravitreal administration. If Bausch + Lomb chooses to move forward, the company will oversee clinical development, regulatory submissions and commercialization.
“City Therapeutics’ leadership is behind some of the biggest innovations in RNAi medicines to date, and they have the right experience to help us successfully disrupt the GA treatment landscape,” said Brent Saunders, chairman and CEO of Bausch + Lomb. “Today’s approved treatments for GA leave enormous room for improvement. Our plan is to develop a novel RNAi-based medicine through this collaboration that will deliver new hope and better outcomes for this large patient population.”
Under the terms of the agreement, City Therapeutics will receive up to $485 million in milestone payments and tiered royalties on net sales if the treatment reaches the market. This partnership not only supports Bausch + Lomb’s growth strategy but also offers hope for more than a million people in the U.S. living with GA.
Learn all about the collaboration here.
A powerful start to 2025
These three announcements highlight Bausch + Lomb’s multi-faceted approach to innovation in eye care. The enVista Aspire IOLs address the everyday needs of patients undergoing cataract surgery, while the acquisition of Whitecap Biosciences and the collaboration with City Therapeutics emphasize the company’s commitment to tackling complex diseases like glaucoma and GA.
And it doesn’t end here. The company is also making strides in raising awareness about glaucoma with the second annual Faces of Glaucoma Campaign with the Glaucoma Research Foundation and its collaboration with Character Biosciences on advancing treatments for AMD—all announced last week.
By combining advanced technology with strategic partnerships and acquisitions, Bausch + Lomb is not just expanding its portfolio—it’s actively shaping the future of eye health. As these initiatives unfold, 2025 is already shaping up to be a pivotal year for the company and the millions of patients it serves worldwide.
