Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary AMPPLIFY™ mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) Drug Delivery Technology, launched INVELTYS™...
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary AMPPLIFY™ mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) Drug Delivery Technology, launched INVELTYS™ (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 1%, the first and only twice-daily ocular corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery, and the hiring of the specialty ophthalmology sales organization. INVELTYS is now in national and regional United States (U.S.) pharmaceutical distribution centers, and patients have access to INVELTYS through their local retail pharmacies.
A highly experienced ophthalmology specialty sales force of 57 territory sales managers has been hired, trained and deployed. The territory sales managers have on average more than eight years of ophthalmic sales experience and more than 13 years of pharmaceutical sales experience. An experienced sales leadership team has also been hired, with on average over nine years of ophthalmic sales experience and nearly eight years of pharmaceutical sales leadership experience. In addition, the payor account team, which averages over 16 years of account director experience, is actively engaged in contract discussions with Commercial and Medicare Part D health plans.
“We are excited to announce the availability of INVELTYS in the U.S., the first twice-daily topical corticosteroid with proven safety and efficacy, for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery,” said Todd Bazemore, Chief Operating Officer of Kala Pharmaceuticals. “We are also pleased to announce that the ophthalmic specialty sales team has begun calling on and providing samples to eye care professionals. The sales force’s extensive ophthalmic experience, combined with their product launch experience and existing relationships with the eye care community, will be important factors for the commercial success of INVELTYS. Formulary contract bids are in discussion for commercial insurance coverage in 2019 and Medicare Part D program coverage beginning in 2020. Furthermore, through the availability of a co-pay assistance program, all patients will have immediate access to INVELTYS at launch.”
INVELTYS was approved in August 2018 as the first and only twice-daily ocular corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. INVELTYS utilizes Kala’s proprietary AMPPLIFY Drug Delivery Technology to enhance penetration into target tissues of the eye. In preclinical studies, the AMPPLIFY technology increased delivery of loteprednol etabonate (LE) into ocular tissues more than three-fold compared to current LE products by facilitating penetration through the tear film mucins.
The AMPPLIFY technology also underpins KPI-121 0.25%, a product candidate for the temporary relief of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease utilizing a two-week course of therapy. Kala filed a New Drug Application (NDA) for KPI-121 0.25% with the FDA and has been granted a PDUFA target action date of August 15, 2019. Based upon the FDA’s recommendation, Kala also initiated an additional Phase 3 clinical trial in July 2018, STRIDE 3 (STRIDE - Short Term Relief In Dry Eye), evaluating KPI-121 0.25% for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. The Company expects to report top-line results for STRIDE 3 in the fourth quarter of 2019.
About INVELTYS™ :
INVELTYS™ (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 1% is a twice-a-day corticosteroid for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. INVELTYS utilizes Kala’s proprietary AMPPLIFY™ mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) Drug Delivery Technology to enhance penetration into target tissues of the eye. In preclinical studies, the AMPPLIFY Drug Delivery Technology increased delivery of loteprednol etabonate (LE) into ocular tissues more than three-fold compared to current LE products by facilitating penetration through the tear film mucins. INVELTYS was approved by the FDA on August 22, 2018. Kala believes INVELTYS has a favorable profile for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery, due to its twice-a-day dosing regimen.
A link to the full product label can be found at: www.inveltys.com
INVELTYS™ Important Safety Information :
INVELTYS™, as with other ophthalmic corticosteroids, is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures.
A prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. If this product is used for 10 days or longer, IOP should be monitored.
Use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation.
Use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. In those diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, perforations have been known to occur with the use of topical steroids. The initial prescription and renewal of the medication order should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient with the aid of magnification such as slit lamp biomicroscopy and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining.
Prolonged use of corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, steroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection.
Use of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution. Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex).
Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local steroid application. Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a steroid has been used or is in use.
In clinical trials, the most common adverse drug reactions were eye pain (1%) and posterior capsular opacification (1%). These reactions may have been the consequence of the surgical procedure.
About Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. :
Kala is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary AMPPLIFY™ mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) Drug Delivery Technology, with an initial focus on the treatment of eye diseases. Kala has applied the AMPPLIFY Drug Delivery Technology to a corticosteroid, loteprednol etabonate (LE), designed for ocular applications, resulting in recently approved INVELTYS™ for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery and its lead product candidate, KPI-121 0.25%, for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, for which a New Drug Application (NDA) has been filed with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a target action date under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) has been set for August 15, 2019.
For more details, visit: https://kalarx.com/
Please see the full prescribing information available at: www.inveltys.com