Allergan, Inc. (NYSE:AGN) today announced it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market ALPHAGAN(R) P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1%, indicated for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

The new product is an optimized formulation of ALPHAGAN(R) (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.2%, and was developed to further minimize drug exposure while maintaining the drug's favorable efficacy profile. This FDA approval is the latest advance in the ALPHAGAN(R) Franchise, which includes ALPHAGAN(R) P 0.15%, and currently reflects the third-largest selling glaucoma franchise in the world(1).

"Our goal in developing ALPHAGAN(R) P 0.1% has been to ensure maximal efficacy of brimonidine with the least drug exposure possible," said Dr. Scott Whitcup, Allergan's Executive Vice President, Research & Development. "By improving bioavailability compared to the original ALPHAGAN(R) 0.2%, we have managed to decrease drug concentration by half without sacrificing efficacy. This milestone underscores Allergan's commitment to providing eye care specialists and patients with safe and efficacious medicines."

In a clinical trial, ALPHAGAN(R) P ophthalmic solution 0.1% was proven to have IOP-lowering efficacy equivalent to ALPHAGAN(R) 0.2%, effectively lowering IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension by approximately 2-6 mmHg. ALPHAGAN(R) P 0.1% is contraindicated in patients receiving monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor therapy. The most frequently reported adverse events included allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia and eye pruritus. Full prescribing information for ALPHAGAN(R) P 0.1% can be found at www.Allergan.com [1].