Global ophthalmic company Arctic Vision Limited announced plans to purchase the ophthalmic device business of MDCO Technology, a China-based ophthalmic medical device company.
First up: A look at these players.
Also headquartered in China, the privately-held Arctic Vision is developing a portfolio of pre-clinical and commercial-stage ophthalmic therapies and devices via an in-house platform and strategic partnerships.
- Among its focus areas: Retinal disease, dry eye, and ocular neuroprotection—see here for a look at its pipeline, which includes assets with a range of global commercial and licensing rights.
Do any of those rights extend to FDA-cleared products?
Yes … but that doesn't translate to Arctic Vision actually owning those U.S. rights.
Instead, the company has secured varying global licensing deals (in Greater China, South Korea, and other ASEAN countries) for a few FDA-cleared products, including:
- Olympia Ophthalmic’s iTEAR (ARVN701), a non-invasive, drug-free neurostimulation device for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED)
- Clearside Biomedical’s XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide), indicated to treat macular edema associated with uveitis via suprachoroidal administration
Got it. Now to MDCO.
Headquartered in Hangzhou, China—with a U.S.-based research & development (R&D) and manufacturing base in California—the company specializes in offering premium cataract and myopia-correcting solutions.
Its product inventory extends to intraocular lenses (IOLs), cataract surgery components, polymer synthesis technologies, ultra-precision processing systems, and vision rehabilitation tools.
So what do we know about this acquisition?
Essentially, the plan is to integrate MDCO’s premium IOL, implantable contact lens, and refractive device platforms into Arctic Vision’s global business model and R&D capabilities.
Why: To support Arctic Vision’s “long-term growth strategy" in expanding its pipeline with therapeutics designed to address high unmet needs.
Go on …
Eddy Wu, PhD, Arctic Vision’s founder, CEO, and chairman, noted that adding MDCO’s ophthalmic device platforms to Arctic’s preexisting “pharmaceutical innovation capabilities” will establish “a truly comprehensive ophthalmic innovation ecosystem.”
- “We are building a company structurally prepared for broader global investment participation and future capital market opportunities, while expanding our ability to reach more patients and deliver greater impact across the ophthalmology community worldwide,” he stated.
And what will the integration look like for MDCO?
The company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arctic Vision while continuing to run key operations in its three facility locations:
- Shanghai, China (biopharmaceutical R&D and regulatory affairs, and operations)
- Hangzhou, China (implanted device R&D, manufacturing and commercial management)
- California (design and global collaboration)
How about from a U.S. perspective?
Thanks to that California-based design and global collaboration location, Arctic Vision’s global footprint will now be directly planted within the United States.
Looking ahead: This could prove advantageous for any of the company’s future plans as it seeks to expand and strengthen its global reach—potentially within the U.S.
Take note, however: No specific U.S.-related plans have been announced (we’re just speculating).
As always, stay tuned for developments!