Welcome to “A to Z: Drugs in Highlight”
This series is designed to delve into the intricate realm of pharmaceutical drugs. As the world of pharmaceuticals continues to evolve with new discoveries and emerging challenges, we aim to shed light on the diverse array of medications available today, ranging from blockbuster medications to those that may not be as familiar. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a student, or simply someone with a curious mind, “A to Z: Drugs in Highlight” promises to be an enlightening and engaging series.
D is for DURYSTA®!
DURYSTA® (from AbbVie) uses bimatoprost for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in adults with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
How it works:
DURYSTA® is a dissolvable ocular implant containing bimatoprost as the active ingredient. Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analogue that targets the cells and tissues responsible for regulating fluid drainage within the eye. It enhances the drainage of intraocular fluid thereby lowering intraocular pressure inside the eye of patients with open angle glaucoma or high inner eye pressure.
Marketing approval:
DURYSTA® is approved for marketing in the United States (approved by the FDA in March 2020). AbbVie withdrew its application for marketing authorisation of DURYSTA® for reduction of IOP in adults with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in September 2024.
Patent protection:
There are patent rights protecting aspects of DURYSTA® in the United States. For example, US8629185B2 relates to 7-[3,5-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-pent-1-enyl)-cyclopentyl]-N-ethyl-hept-5-enamide having the structure in crystalline form II.
The corresponding European application was refused by the Examining Division of the European Patent Office in 2016 for not meeting the requirements of the European Patent Convention.
