Zhaoke Ophthalmology Limited (“Zhaoke Ophthalmology”, “Zhaoke” or the “Company”, SEHK: 6622), a leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development, manufacture and commercialization of therapies that address significant unmet medical needs, is pleased to announce that its self-developed glaucoma drug Bimatoprost eye drop (晶贝清®), has obtained regulatory approval from the National Medical Products Administration of China (“NMPA”). As such, it becomes the first preservative-free, single-dose Bimatoprost eye drop commercially available in China.

Glaucoma is a group of irreversible eye diseases characterized by optic atrophy and visual field loss. According to research estimates, the number of glaucoma patients in China reached 21.8 million in 2020, while the number of people who had lost their vision due to the disease was estimated at over 5.67 million (1).

Intraocular pressure-lowering drugs are an essential component of glaucoma management. According to the 2020 European Glaucoma Society guidelines (2) and the 2020 Chinese Glaucoma Guidelines (3), prostaglandin analogs are consistently recommended as the first-line treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma.

However, patients are required to use these drugs on a long-term basis, and an accumulation of the preservatives they typically contain can cause other eye diseases. This not only reduces a patient’s adherence to the treatment, but may also decrease the success rate of subsequent glaucoma therapies (4).

Zhaoke Ophthalmology’s Bimatoprost eye drop (晶贝清®) is used to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. As a preservative-free eye drop, it also avoids the damage to the ocular surface that can be caused by long-term use of preservative-containing drugs. In addition, it helps improve the patient's comfort during treatment and reduces the risk of preservative-related allergic reactions. As a once-daily medication regimen, Bimatoprost eye drop (晶贝清®) also helps strengthen patient treatment compliance.

Dr. Benjamin Li, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zhaoke Ophthalmology, said, “Zhaoke Ophthalmology’s Bimatoprost eye drop (晶贝清®) is the first preservative-free, single-dose Bimatoprost eye drop to be approved in China. This enriches the treatment options available to glaucoma patients, bringing them new hope. At the same time, we hope to bring the full range of Zhaoke Ophthalmology’s comprehensive drugs portfolio to market as soon as possible, in order to provide patients with better treatment options and to improve their quality of life.”

About Bimatoprost Eye Drop （晶贝清®）

Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analog used to treat open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. According to China Insights Consultancy, bimatoprost eye drops are among the most commonly prescribed prostaglandin eye drops for open-angle glaucoma in China. Zhaoke Ophthalmology has developed a preservative-free, single-dose bimatoprost eye drop, which is a generic version of AbbVie's Lumigan and the first preservative-free, single-dose bimatoprost eye drop approved in China.

About Glaucoma

According to the WHO, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.  It is a chronic and progressive disease associated with high IOP, resulting in optic nerve damage. IOP is determined by the balance of the rate of fluid production versus fluid drainage in the eye. Generally primary glaucoma can be classified into two types, namely open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Prostaglandin analogues reduce IOP by increasing fluid drainage. 

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(1)   Quigley, A H . The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020[J]. Br J Ophthalmol, 2006, 90(3): 262-267

(2)   European Glaucoma Society Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma, 5th Edition: 2020.

(3)   Glaucoma Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Glaucoma Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Chinese Glaucoma Guidelines (2020). Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020;56(08):573-586.

(4)   Boimer C, Birt CM. Preservative exposure and surgical outcomes in glaucoma patients: The PESO study. J Glaucoma. 2013 Dec;22(9):730-5.