Second BVI Market Debut in Less Than Twelve Months

• BVI continues to execute its roadmap of IOL launches in Japan, the world’s third-largest IOL-valued market¹
• The PODEYE hydrophobic monofocal is perfectly suited to the Japanese market, where hydrophobic IOLs constitute almost 96% of the total monofocal IOL units in Japan¹
• Following the 2023 launch of FINEVISION HP Hydrophobic Trifocal IOL, PODEYE becomes the second BVI IOL to be available in Japan

WALTHAM, Mass., April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) BVI, the most dynamic, diversified company in ophthalmology, announced today the official launch of the PODEYE hydrophobic monofocal IOL in Japan following approval by the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). The achievement represents another significant step in BVI’s plan to launch its range of IOLs in Japan over the near-term.

Being unveiled at the Japanese Ophthalmic Society (JOS) annual meeting in Tokyo, PODEYE is now available for commercial use and available to surgeons across the country.

“Our commitment to the Japanese ophthalmic market is a clear priority for BVI. The PODEYE launch continues to execute on our strategic vision and global expansion. We are set to equip surgeons with more solutions to enhance patient care. Anticipate more groundbreaking product launches from us in Japan and many other major markets globally.” said Shervin Korangy, President and CEO of BVI.

Stability Made Simple.
With a focus on IOL stability, the now proven double C-loop haptic design, known as ‘POD’ which is unique only to BVI lenses, was first introduced to the market with the launch of the PODEYE hydrophobic IOL in Europe in 2012. BVI has demonstrated the success of its POD technology with over 10 years of accomplished sales worldwide. Renowned for its novel, one-of-a-kind (double C-loop) haptic design, ensuring reliable IOL centration and rotational stability, the POD platform has gained substantial popularity and serves as the foundation for all future BVI IOLs.

Focus on Safety
Given that Japan is primarily a hydrophobic market, surgeons in Japan, like their counterparts worldwide, will appreciate the proprietary, hydrophobic ‘GFY^®’ material from which BVI IOLS are made providing 100% glistening-free material.

Moreover, the company has also demonstrated market-wide expertise in IOL material development.  Alongside its patented GFY material featured exclusively in BVI lenses, BVI also develops and supplies approximately 20% of IOL material for competing IOL companies globally from its facility in Florida, US.

About BVI

BVI® is a diversified global ophthalmic device company with a mission to deliver high-quality solutions and innovation for advancing eye surgery and improving the vision of patients. With nine decades of developing leading products and solutions, BVI partners with ophthalmic surgeons to improve the vision of millions of patients across the globe. Our organization supports surgical teams in more than 90 countries worldwide, either directly or through our network of trusted distributors. Our trusted brands include Beaver® (Knives and Blades), Visitec® (Cannulas), Malosa® (Single-Use Instruments), Vitreq® (Vitreoretinal Surgical Products) and PhysIOL® (Premium IOLs).

For further enquiries or to speak to a BVI representative, please email Andrew Dawson, Head of BVI Corporate Communications: [email protected] Market Scope Data

WALTHAM, Mass. — July 18^th, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BVI, one of the fastest growing surgical ophthalmic businesses in the world, is proud to announce the opening of its new, state of the art facility in Liège, Belgium.  This results in a sizeable increase in BVI’s intraocular lens (IOL) business capacity, unlocking new growth opportunities and reinforcing the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership.

In line with the company’s commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and compliance, the new facility was designed to optimize delivery and involved a comprehensive process review aimed at increasing yield and efficiency.  BVI also prioritized environmental considerations and implemented various measures to minimize carbon footprint.

Affirming BVI’s commitment to innovation, the facility further enlarged BVI’s integrated IOL research and development (R&D) and manufacturing capabilities.  With a clear focus on delivering pioneering, quality products to patients, the integrated R&D and manufacturing installation promotes seamless collaboration, efficient product development and production, and accelerated time to market.

This strategic investment exemplifies BVI’s commitment to economic growth, technological advancement, and dedication to maintaining industry leadership. As BVI embarks on this exciting journey, the company anticipates significant positive contributions to its financial success and overall economic landscape.

Frederic Jodogne, Head of Operations said: “I see in this newly built state of the art facility a sign of trust in BVI that confirms Liège as a key pillar in IOL R&D and production.  Amazing products, amazing staff, and amazing potential! Each employee can be proud of the journey already accomplished and can see clearly now the path toward a successful future.”

Shervin Korangy, BVI President and CEO said: “I commend our team who drove this significant capital expansion project. Their unwavering commitment to excellence has been instrumental in tripling our IOL production capacity whilst in parallel deploying cutting-edge, proprietary precision molded optics to the highest quality standards.  The combination of our patented, novel optical designs alongside our world-class manufacturing technology creates an elegant and unrivaled outcome. Our IOL expertise has consistently surpassed even my lofty expectations.”

About BVI

BVI® is a diversified global ophthalmic device company with a mission to deliver high-quality solutions and innovation for advancing eye surgery and improving the vision of patients. With nine decades of developing leading products and solutions, BVI partners with ophthalmic surgeons to improve the vision of millions of patients across the globe. Our organization supports surgical teams in more than 90 countries worldwide, either directly or through our network of trusted distributors. Our trusted brands include Beaver® (Knives and Blades), Visitec® (Cannulas), Malosa® (Single-Use Instruments), Vitreq® (Vitreoretinal Surgical Products) and PhysIOL® (Premium IOLs).

For further enquiries or to speak to a BVI representative, please email Andrew Dawson, Head of BVI Corporate Communications: [email protected]

• FINEVISION HP is the first patented diffractive trifocal IOL and is one of the flagship products in BVI’s IOL portfolio; FINE Trifocal technology is utilized across the company’s entire range of presbyopia-correcting IOLs.
• The Japan launch follows two key FINEVISION HP 2023 milestones: One million FINEVISION IOL implants sold worldwide and the recent completion of the FINEVISION HP IDE clinical study patient enrollment in the US.
• BVI expects to introduce several IOL models over the next few years in Japan, demonstrating BVI’s commitment to ophthalmic surgeons and their patients in Japan.

WALTHAM, Mass., June 19^th, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) BVI, one of the fastest growing surgical ophthalmic businesses in the world, is thrilled to announce the official launch of FINEVISION HP in Japan. The FINEVISION HP hydrophobic and glistening free trifocal IOL represents a significant breakthrough in trifocal technology as the first trifocal platform to offer cataract patients high quality vision across all distances. 

Given substantial excitement and interest in the product, BVI Japan has already received orders for FINEVISION HP and will host the official launch event at the upcoming Japanese Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (JSCRS) annual meeting in Sapporo, Japan on June 22 through June 24.  Dr. Kazunori Miyata (Miyata Eye Hospital), Dr. Hisaharu Suzuki (Zengyo Suzuki Eye Clinic), and Dr. Yousai Mori (Miyata Eye Hospital) will be presenting the results of the clinical trial conducted in Japan.  

As part of BVI’s commitment to continuously improve product performance to meet patients’ and surgeons’ needs, the FINEVISION HP IOL is now in its third generation since the initial FINE optical technology platform was launched in 2010. BVI has developed this unique IOL with numerous novel designs, including proprietary, patented hydrophobic material, a one-of-a-kind double C loop haptic design, and patented CoPODize™ optical surface technologies which enables Convolution and Apodization across the entire optic zone.  As the trifocal market leader in Europe, BVI has proven this technology with over 10 years of success and one million FINEVISION implants sold across the world.    

Dr. Kazuo Ichikawa of Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya said: “It is great to see a new option of Multifocal IOL lens for our patients in Japan. Not only was FINEVISION the original trifocal, but the new generation FINEVISION HP provides 20/20 vision from -3D to +.5D of defocus as well as controlling dysphotopsia.

Shervin Korangy, BVI President and CEO said: ‘‘I could not be more pleased with the feedback we are receiving from surgeons about their experience partnering with BVI. The FINEVISION launch in Japan continues to execute on our strategic vision of expanding into key markets globally. Our commitment to bring BVI’s world-class products to surgeons and patients across the world is unwavering and continues at an accelerated pace. I look forward to watching our team’s success with this and subsequent product launches in the Japanese market”.

About BVI

BVI® is a diversified global ophthalmic device company with a mission to deliver high-quality solutions and innovation for advancing eye surgery and improving the vision of patients. With nine decades of developing leading products and solutions, BVI partners with ophthalmic surgeons to improve the vision of millions of patients across the globe. Our organization supports surgical teams in more than 90 countries worldwide, either directly or through our network of trusted distributors. Our trusted brands include Beaver® (Knives and Blades), Visitec® (Cannulas), Malosa® (Single-Use Instruments), Vitreq® (Vitreoretinal Surgical Products) and PhysIOL® (Premium IOLs).

For further enquiries or to speak to a BVI representative, please email Andrew Dawson, Head of BVI Corporate Communications: [email protected]

WALTHAM, MA – May 1, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BVI, a diversified global ophthalmic device company, today announced it has completed enrollment of its U.S. Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study for its latest hydrophobic trifocal intraocular lens, FINEVISION® HP. 

The milestone marks the final implantation of the 539^th patient enrolled in the prospective, multicenter, randomized, masked, controlled IDE clinical study.  Patients will now be followed to evaluate the safety and performance of the FINEVISION HP intraocular lens, with the results to form the basis for a regulatory submission to obtain marketing approval in the United States.

BVI has one of the most comprehensive ophthalmic surgery portfolios in the industry and is committed to expanding its availability globally.

“With the IDE clinical study completing both the enrollment and implantation phase in less than 12 months, we are pleased with our momentum and acknowledge the patients and clinical investigators for their commitment to the trial,” said Devang Shah, Ph.D., BVI Senior Vice President, Business Operations.

Shervin Korangy, BVI President and CEO, added, “Achieving this milestone represents an exciting and significant step towards bringing our IOL technology to US patients and surgeons.  This trial is the first of a series of studies on innovative ophthalmic devices that BVI will be undertaking in the U.S. in the coming years.”

FINEVISION® HP is a hydrophobic trifocal IOL and the third generation in the FINEVISION® family, featuring BVI’s proprietary hydrophobic material and two novel patented CoPODize™ technologies enabling Convolution and Apodization concepts on the entire optic surface.

CAUTION  FINEVISION® is CE Marked since 2010.  FINEVISION® HP is an Investigational device in the United States. Limited by Federal Law to investigational use; Pending PMA, not available for sale within the United States. 

About BVI

BVI® is a diversified global ophthalmic device company with a mission to deliver high quality solutions and innovation for advancing eye surgery and improving the vision of patients. With nine decades of developing leading products and solutions, BVI partners with ophthalmic surgeons to improve the vision of millions of patients across the globe. BVI supports surgical teams in more than 90 countries worldwide, either directly or through its network of trusted distributors. BVI trusted brands include: Beaver® (Knives and Blades), Visitec® (Cannulas), Malosa® (Single-Use Instruments), Vitreq® (Vitreoretinal Surgical Products) and PhysIOL® (Premium IOLs).

Contacts

BVI

Andrew Dawson

Corporate Communications

[email protected]

Investors

Vivian Cervantes

Gilmartin Group

[email protected]