New technologies in ophthalmic drug delivery
Poor patient compliance with drug dosing regimens can be a major impediment to effective treatments. Eye Care diseases such as AMD and Glaucoma are potentially blinding chronic diseases, requiring life-long medical therapy. Failure to adhere to proper treatment may lead to disease progression and visual loss, not to mention economic consequences. Even though the topical application of ophthalmic drugs is quite straightforward, it is common knowledge that poor compliance is widespread. It is often due to a mix of several factors, including drops that sting and the difficulty of applying drops accurately, particularly for older patients. Preservatives play a prominent role in this unfavourable mix, often to the patient’s detriment, so offering preservative-free formulations is of major interest.
Considering that in terms of both efficacy and safety, topical delivery of drugs, especially for front-of-the-eye indications, is superior to all other administration routes, this presentation will show the available options and discuss future trends, in particular regarding preservatives and debatable additives, but also novel approaches like “Connected Eye Careâ€.
Specific strategies to address the issues of patient compliance and drug delivery optimization will be discussed. In addition, limitations and regulatory hurdles associated with future methods will be mentioned. Finally, the presentation will examine approaches available now and in the near future that enhance efficacy by improving delivery of ophthalmic formulations.
Compliance and microbiological safety are key for successful preservative-free eye care treatment. Register now to learn more about how to leverage patient adherence with Eye Care medications and how to choose a packaging format that will successfully meets regulatory authorities’ requirements.
Presented by
Matthias Birkhoff,
V.P. Business Development
Matthias Birkhoff is Vice President Business Development at Aptar Pharma. In this role he is responsible for Aptar Pharma’s Eye Care program and coordinates research and development activities, microbiological assessment and commercial strategies. Matthias started his career in pharmaceutical sales at a major multinational pharmaco before joining Aptar nineteen years ago.
Prior to his involvement in Business Development and Marketing, Matthias was in charge of sales in the AsiaPacific region. He studied medicine at the University of Dusseldorf, Germany and holds a nursing degree.
Matthias has recently spoken at international events, such as NDD (Nasal Drug Delivery), London/UK, PMP (Pharmaceutical Plastics), Copenhagen/Denmark, Interphex, Tokyo/Japan, CPHI, Pharmapack, AAPS, or the IPA conference in Mumbai/India.
Dr. Degenhard Marx,
Director Scientific Affairs
Dr. Degenhard Marx is Director Scientific Affairs within the Aptar Pharma Consumer Health Care Division. Following the study of veterinary medicine and the successful completion of his thesis at the University of Leipzig in 1992, he joined the pharmaceutical industry.
There he collected ample experiences in the drug development of anti-inflammatory and cardio-vascular drugs. In 2008, he became business development manager within Aptar Pharma.
