Sandoz launches generic copy of AbbVie eye drug

Sandoz, the generic and biosimilar medicines business of Novartis (NOVN: VX), today announced the US launch of its generic combination eyedrop brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 0.2%/0.5%, an AB-rated generic equivalent to AbbVie’s (NYSE: ABBV) Combigan, to lower eye pressure in patients with ocular hypertension (high eye pressure).

This prescription eyedrop is immediately available to patients via retail pharmacies, the company said.

Anyone can develop ocular hypertension, but certain groups are at higher risk, including but not limited to African Americans and Hispanics, people over age 40, people living with diabetes or high blood pressure, people who are very myopic (near-sighted) and people who take long-term steroid medicines. It is important to treat high eye pressure before it causes damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.