Alcon gains FDA approval of Tryptyr in DED

Swiss eye care specialist Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) yesterday revealed the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tryptyr (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003%, formerly known as AR-15512. The new pushed the firm’s shares up 2.5% to 72.32 francs this morning.

The drug is authorized for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). Tryptyr is a first-in-class TRPM8 receptor agonist (neuromodulator) that stimulates corneal sensory nerves to rapidly increase natural tear production.

“Today marks a tremendous milestone for Alcon as Tryptyr becomes our first prescription pharmaceutical treatment to be approved by the FDA since becoming an independent, publicly traded eye care company,” said David Endicott, chief executive of Alcon, which was spun out of Novartis. “We look forward to making this new treatment available to millions of patients affected by dry eye disease. We believe Tryptyr is an exciting new treatment option for a significant number of dry eye patients given its rapid efficacy.”