Alcon began a deal to acquire LumiThera, a developer of light-based innovations for ophthalmology, and its PBM device to trat early and intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

PBM leverages low-level light to stimulate production of mitochondrial energy, which promotes normal cellular health. It uses three specific, science-backed wavelengths to deliver non-phototoxic light therapy. The non-invasive treatments occur while the patient is in a clinic setting.

PBM earned FDA de novo authorization in November 2014 and received a CE mark in November 2018. It’s currently available in Europe, Latin America, Singapore, the UK, and the U.S.

Date from the LIGHSITE I, II, and III trials showed PBM treatments improve visual acuity without treatment-related serious adverse events reported. Patients gained one line of visual acuity (ETDRS) from baseline at 13 and 21 months, maintained at month 24. Over 97% of patients reported no pain or discomfort, and over 80% stayed on therapy for two years.

“For more than 25 years, Alcon has been a leader in vitreoretinal surgery, and we are excited to expand our offerings into the clinic, to help millions of people living with dry AMD gain vision,” said Sean Clark, Vice President and General Manager, Global Surgical Franchise, Alcon. “Dry AMD is an area of significant unmet need, and PBM is an efficacious, non-invasive light therapy that can provide visual improvement for patients with early and intermediate disease. With Alcon’s global commercial and clinical expertise, we have the potential to make this therapy more broadly available to Eye Care Professionals and their patients, while continuing to strengthen its body of clinical evidence.”

This transaction doesn’t include LumiThera’s AdaptDx and Nova/Diopsys diagnostic devices. These will be separated and spun off to LumiThera shareholders before Alcon’s acquisition, and marketed and sold by the LumiThera spinoff.

The acquisition’s completion is expected in Q3 2025.

“At LumiThera, we have been committed to developing novel light therapy technologies that address dry AMD,” said Clark Tedford, Ph.D., president and CEO of LumiThera. “Our PBM device provides a non-invasive treatment for dry AMD patients that can improve vision and address the disease earlier, before permanent vision loss. We are thrilled that Alcon agrees in the potential that this device has to change the lives of millions living with dry AMD, and we are confident that Alcon has the capabilities to broadly commercialize it.”

In April, Alcon launched its Unity vitreoretinal cataract system (VCS) and cataract system (CS), which feature novel technologies to improve vitreoretinal and cataract surgeries.