Bausch + Lomb Corporation has discontinued the development of its BL1107 topical eye drop for glaucoma after the treatment failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase 2 study. The randomized, double-masked study enrolled 159 adults with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It did not achieve the primary endpoint of change from baseline in visual field mean deviation at Day 28. Key secondary endpoints assessing visual function were also not achieved, though the study did show a reduction in intraocular pressure, indicating ocular target engagement. The safety profile remained consistent with prior clinical experience.

The company will now focus its resources on a sustained-release implant for geographic atrophy (GA), a vision-threatening disease, anticipating the start of clinical trials in 2028. This strategic pivot follows the acquisition of Whitecap Biosciences in 2025, which provided the technology platform for the implant. The company will continue collaborating with Ripple Therapeutics on the sustained-release implant. This technology platform allows drugs to be chemically engineered into controlled-release pharmaceuticals without polymers. Bausch + Lomb aims to develop the first small-molecule sustained-release implant specifically for GA, with multiple clinical and regulatory milestones expected over the coming years.

Pipeline Strategy

Bausch + Lomb's portfolio includes more than 60 assets under development. The company emphasizes a diversified pipeline strategy across Consumer, Pharmaceuticals, Surgical, and Vision Care segments to mitigate the risk inherent in drug development. Yehia Hashad, MD, executive vice president, R&D and chief medical officer, stated that success relies on a portfolio approach rather than single programs, allowing the company to make informed investment decisions based on clinical data.

Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced the creation of Orphia, a new AI-powered digital health platform designed to reduce the operational burden that stands between physicians and their patients. The platform is brand agnostic and built to serve all eye care providers, regardless of the products, devices, or treatments they use. This initiative aims to allow physicians to spend less time managing disconnected tools and more time delivering care.

Orphia will operate under Digital Health Services, a newly created platform at Bausch + Lomb. The first application of the platform focuses on pre-surgery cataract education, helping patients understand their condition and treatment options before meeting with their surgeon. The goal is to ensure patients arrive informed, allowing physicians to focus on achieving the best possible vision outcomes.

To assist with the development of conversational patient engagement capability, Bausch + Lomb has engaged Hippocratic AI. This partnership leverages Hippocratic AI's proprietary Large Language Model (LLM), built on more than 200 million real patient interactions and validated by more than 7500 U.S.-licensed clinicians.

Strategic Integration and Expansion

Orphia is designed to integrate with the systems that practices already use, complementing existing workflows and creating actionable insights for clinical teams. Over time, Bausch + Lomb plans to expand the platform’s capabilities to support the full patient journey, from care coordination to practice workflow.

Leadership and Vision

The Orphia digital health platform will be led by Manisha Narasimhan, PhD, President of Digital Health Services at Bausch + Lomb. Narasimhan brings nearly two decades of experience spanning biotechnology, strategy, corporate development, and digital transformation.

Brent Saunders, Chairman and CEO of Bausch + Lomb, emphasized that the platform was created to serve every eye care provider. "Orphia was created to serve every eye care provider, no matter what they prescribe or what product they use," Saunders said.