Aton Pharma, Inc., a diversified specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced it has acquired the U.S. marketing rights to the TIMOPTIC(R) product line from Merck & Co., Inc. TIMOPTIC (timolol maleate) is a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent indicated for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. As many as 2.25 million Americans suffer from open-angle glaucoma.

The U.S. TIMOPTIC product line includes TIMOPTIC(R) (timolol maleate) Ophthalmic Solution, TIMOPTIC (timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) in OCUDOSE(R) (sterile ophthalmic unit dose dispenser) and TIMOPTIC-XE(R) (timolol maleate ophthalmic gel forming solution) Ophthalmic. TIMOPTIC in OCUDOSE(R) is the only preservative-free medication for glaucoma available in the U.S.

Aton’s market research indicates that more than 60% of ophthalmologists are unaware that preservative-free preparations of timolol are available.

Aton Pharma also provides the dry eye medication LACRISERT(R) (hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic insert), a preservative-free, once-daily, sustained release prescription insert indicated for moderate to severe dry eye, that helps to retain moisture, stabilize the tear film, and lubricate the eye.

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