Novartis says Alcon glaucoma treatment approved in EU

[July 28, 2014]  ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis said the European Commission has approved its eyecare unit Alcon's Simbrinza treatment for glaucoma, a chronic, sight-threatening eye disease.

Alcon said in a statement on Monday the Simbrinza eye drops suspension had been approved to decrease elevated intraocular pressure in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

"We are pleased to introduce the only fixed combination therapy without a beta-blocker to help more glaucoma patients manage their progressive eye condition," Jeff George, global head of Alcon, said in the statement.

(Reporting by Silke Koltrowitz; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)

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