Alcon/Novartis acquires Transcend Medical and with it CyPass Micro-Stent for glaucoma

A Alcon, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Transcend Medical, Inc.,a privately-held, US-based company focused on developing minimally-invasive surgical devices to treat glaucoma. Transcend Medical, Inc. has recently developed a micro-stent to treat mild to moderate glaucoma (CyPass Micro-Stent). The MIGS device is implanted just below the surface of the eye. It is designed to treat less severe glaucoma by enhancing part of the natural drainage pathways of the eye with minimal tissue disruption. This allows the excess fluid in the eye to drain with the goal of reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) level.The goal of MIGS is to reduce or eliminate the need for glaucoma medications.Transcend Medical, Inc. currently has CE Mark approval for the micro-stent in Europe and is awaiting US Food and Drug Administration approval of the device.