Ista Pharma moves to new year highs on FDA announcement (ISTA)
Ista Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: ISTA) shares are breaking out to new year highs after the FDA did not find any serious safety problems with the company’s proposed Bepreve allergy eye drops.
The FDA said that Bepreve was effective in reducing eye itchiness and had few “mild and transient” side effects. In one study, 25% of patients that took Bepreve reported bitter taste or aftertaste.
There are many drugs already on the market from Alcon Inc. (ACL) and others that treat itchy, allergy eyes. But several drugs already on the market may cause side effects including sleepiness — a side effect that was not reported in the Bepreve trials.
Bepreve reduced eye itching “with few mild and transient” side effects, the company said in a separate summary released by the FDA.
Accoding to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, almost 1 out of 4 people in the U.S. suffer from occasional itchy eyes associated with allergy symptoms. — Mike Tarsala
