An estimated 16 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with dry eye disease. Xiidra is the first prescription eye drop. FDA-approved to treat both the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. A U.S. launch of Xiidra planned for third quarter 2016.

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Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5%, a twice-daily eye drop solution indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in adult patients. Xiidra is the only prescription eye drop indicated for the treatment of both signs and symptoms of this condition. Shire expects to launch Xiidra in the United States in the third quarter of 2016.

Read the full article from Shire.com

Dr. Dexter's Take

Many of you have probably seen the buzz around new products from the Pharmaceutical company, Shire. We've seen their logo at meetings and conferences, met with their representatives and researchers, and have seen their ads in optometry magazines, but up until July 11th, we didn't really know what they had for us in the pipeline! Now we finally have an idea about what Shire has to offer. After a very long process, the FDA recently approved Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5%, which is a twice daily eye drop solution indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, and is the first and only drop approved for this indication. Are you ready to give this new drop a shot?!