ROCHESTER, NY & MUNICH, GERMANY — Bausch + Lomb, the global eye health company, announced on Nov. 7 that it has exercised its option to purchase all outstanding and unowned shares of Technola Perfect Vision GmbH (TPV) www.technolaspv.com and www.better-reading-vision.net, a leading ophthalmology laser company. Technolas Perfect Vision was established in 2009 through a joint venture between Bausch + Lomb and 20/10 PERFECT VISION AG to develop and sell advanced refractive and cataract technologies. The deal is expected to close at the end of January 2013.

Bausch + Lomb and Technolas Perfect Vision entered into a co-promotion agreement back in September 2011, which also included an option for Bausch + Lomb to purchase the company if certain key milestones were achieved. Since that time, the companies have leveraged their combined cataract and refractive expertise and commercial capabilities to promote and further advance the VICTUS femtosecond laser, which is capable of supporting cataract and corneal procedures on a single platform, the company’s statement said. In the last 12 months, the VICTUS platform received marketing approval from regulatory authorities in Europe and the U.S., and the companies are continuing to file registrations in other parts of the world as they accelerate the roll-out.

“Our acquisition of Technolas Perfect Vision represents an important milestone for Bausch + Lomb, but perhaps more importantly, for cataract and refractive patients worldwide,” said Brent Saunders, president and CEO, Bausch + Lomb. “The Technolas Perfect Vision team has built a great company and from my perspective, the most innovative ophthalmic lasers in the industry.”

“Our systems for refractive and cataract procedures complement Bausch + Lomb’s surgical portfolio and will help accelerate our expansion into the faster growing segments of the ocular surgery market,” said Kristian Hohla, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Technolas Perfect Vision. “Together, we’ve proven our ability to introduce and market the highly innovative and differentiated VICTUS Femtosecond Laser Platform, and we look forward to working with our Bausch + Lomb colleagues to further advance ocular surgery using other laser-based technologies.”

Added John Barr, executive vice president and president, Bausch + Lomb Global Surgical, “Technolas Perfect Vision’s unique femtosecond and excimer laser platforms complement our broad-based product offering of equipment, instruments and intraocular lenses for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery, making us the ‘one-stop shop’ for eye surgeons. Our goal is to provide a compelling choice of products to fit the specific needs of their practice and patients. We intend to continue to invest in development and clinical programs that build upon their strong leadership position in laser-based surgical platforms. We look forward to working with Kristian and his team to provide physicians with systems that improve a wide range of sight-enhancing surgeries.”