Alcon launches latest Systane artificial tear drops in Europe

Alcon has launched the newest addition to its European dry eye products portfolio: Systane Complete Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drop, available in an easy-to-use, multi-dose bottle, the company announced last week.

With Systane as the leading global artificial tear brand,¹ this newest release means Alcon now offers a complete portfolio of preservative-free artificial tears in multi-dose bottles, according to a news release.

The latest addition enlarges Alcon’s involvement in the expanding artificial tears area, worth approximately $1 billion in annual sales. The preservative-free category is the fastest-growing segment, equating to over 40% of the artificial tears category,¹ according to the company.

“Our latest innovation, Systane Complete Preservative-Free, provides relief for all major types of dry eye for up to eight hours,”² said Andy Pawson, president and general manager, Global Vision Care Franchise at Alcon in a news release. “Frequent users of artificial tears, or those with sensitive eyes, should be able to effectively and conveniently manage their symptoms to get back to enjoying their daily lives.”

The Systane Complete Preservative-Free formula provides an all-in-one dry eye relief with one drop1 by hydrating and protecting all layers of the tear film.^3,4,5 Intelligent moisture and lipid delivery is used to enhance dispersion across the surface of the eye to stabilize the tear film, the company stated. 4,5 Its advanced, nano-droplet technology allows for fast-acting hydration, tear evaporation protection, and long-lasting relief for a patient’s eyes.^4,5

The bottle’s closing tip system was designed using patented PureFlowtechnology to ensure safe delivery of the artificial tear, and has a one-way valve to so no contaminated liquid is re-introduced into the container after a drop has been dispensed, eliminating the need for preservatives in the eye drops.

This latest formula joins Alcon’s portfolio of multi-dose, preservative-free dry eye relief products for mild to chronic dry eye patients: Systane Ultra Preservative-Free and Systane Hydration Preservative-Free.

The launch will begin across Europe and extend to the U.S., Australia, and additional markets throughout 2022.

References

1. Based on internal calculations by Alcon using third-party data; Alcon data on file, 2021.
2. Silverstein S. Yeu E, Tauber J. et al. Symptom Relief Following a Single Dose of Propylene Glycol-Hydroxypropyl Guar Nanoemulsion in Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Phase IV. Multicenter Trial.Clin Ophthalmol.2020;14:3167-3177.m.
3. Consumer Eye Drop Research, Global Path-To-Purchase; Alcon data on file, 2017.
4. Ketelson H, Rangarjan R. Pre-clinical evalusation of a nael phospholipid nanoemulsion based lubricant eye drops. Poster presented at ARVO 2017, Baltimore, MD.
5. Rangarajan R, Ketelson H. Preclinical evaluation of a new hydroxypropyl-guar phospholipid nanoemulsion-based artificial tear formulation in models of corneal epithelium. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2019;35(1):32-37.