Capsaicin

Latest step in Grünenthal's strategy to acquire established medicines that serve clear medical needs, leverage its commercial and operational capabilities, and drive growth. Stivarga® (regorafenib) is an established oral treatment for certain advanced cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). It is approved and available in more than 90 markets worldwide. Grünenthal has invested around €2.6 billion in successful M&A transactions since 2017, significantly strengthening its profitability and further funding its innovative research pipeline. AACHEN, Germany, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grünenthal, a global leader in pain management and research, today announced an agreement with Bayer AG to acquire Stivarga®, an oral treatment for specific advanced cancers, for up to €375 million. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2026 or early 2027. Stivarga® (regorafenib) is an oral multkinase inhibitor indicated for metastatic colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) in patients who have already been treated with, or who cannot be given, other available treatments. It is approved and available in more than 90 markets worldwide. "This acquisition is a strong strategic fit for Grünenthal and reflects our disciplined M&A strategy of acquiring established medicines that address clear and ongoing medical needs and create long-term value," said Gabriel Baertschi, CEO, Grünenthal. "Stivarga® has a well-established role in patient care and the transaction is immediately accretive to our business. By leveraging the strength of our commercial and operational expertise, we see clear opportunities to maximise the value of the medicine and support Grünenthal's long-term growth." Loss of exclusivity for Stivarga® is anticipated in 2029 in the European Union and in 2030 in the United States (US). Grünenthal estimates that Stivarga® may contribute a positive impact on its consolidated EBITDA of up to approximately €100 million for the year ending 31 December 2027, based on an analysis of the information made available to Grünenthal from Bayer and assuming closing by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027, as well as a full-year consolidation. The acquisition is the latest development in Grünenthal's M&A strategy and follows the successful integration of several important medicines across a range of health conditions, including the global rights to Nebido™, the rights to Cialis® in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, the European rights to Crestor™ and Nexium™, and the global rights to Vimovo™ (ex-US and Japan), Zomig™ (ex-Japan) and Qutenza™. In addition to asset acquisitions, earlier this year, Grünenthal acquired full ownership of Grünenthal Meds, a previously joint venture with Kyowa Kirin International to market its established medicines portfolio, and, in 2024, acquired the US company Valinor Pharma and the product Movantik®. The company has invested around €2.6 billion in successful M&A transactions since 2017. About Stivarga ® Stivarga® is a once-daily, oral prescription medicine for certain advanced cancers. It has treated more than one million patients across more than 90 countries over 10 years. In the EU, Stivarga® is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have been previously treated with, or are not considered candidates for, available therapies including fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF therapy and an anti-EGFR therapy, as well as for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) who progressed on or are intolerant to prior treatment with imatinib and sunitinib, and for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. In the US, Stivarga® is indicated for the treatment of patients with mCRC who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF therapy, and, if RAS wild-type, an anti-EGFR therapy, as well as locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic GIST who have been previously treated with imatinib mesylate and sunitinib malate, and for HCC who have been previously treated with sorafenib. About Grünenthal Grünenthal is a global leader in pain management and related diseases. As a science-based, fully integrated pharmaceutical company, we have a long track record of bringing innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies to patients worldwide. Our purpose is to change lives for the better – and innovation is our passion. We focus all our activities and efforts on working towards our vision of a World Free of Pain. Grünenthal is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and has affiliates in 28 countries across Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. Our products are available in approx. 100 countries. In 2025, Grünenthal employed around 4,100 people and achieved revenues of €1.8 billion. More information: Follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram Advisors Freshfields served as legal counsel to Grünenthal. For further information, please contact: Matt Crabb, Head of Global Communications (Interim), Grünenthal [email protected] SOURCE Grünenthal Group 21% more press release views with Request a Demo

Dual-action eye drop targeting both evaporative and inflammatory dry eye disease moving to Phase 3 Positive Phase 1b results for ocular surface pain candidate validate TRPV1 antagonist approach and strengthen confidence in ongoing Phase 2 study Combined potential peak sales exceeding $2 billion assuming successful development and commercialization 1 VAUGHAN, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BLCO), a leading global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to live better, today announced that two of its pharmaceutical pipeline assets – both first-in-class treatments – will advance to new trials based on recent clinical results. “Helping people see better to live better starts with tackling the challenges patients still face every day,” said Bausch + Lomb CEO Brent Saunders. “These results support our approach to developing differentiated therapies that have the potential to address significant unmet needs and change the standard of care in eye health.” Dry Eye Disease Dual-Action Eye Drop: Phase 2 Results Support Advancement to Phase 3 with Day 15 Primary Endpoint Dry eye disease is a complex, multifactorial condition affecting millions of people worldwide. While existing prescription therapies can effectively address individual causes of dry eye disease, no approved treatment addresses both the inflammatory and evaporative drivers of the disease in a single therapy. Patients often continue to experience persistent symptoms despite treatment, highlighting the need for new approaches that more comprehensively address the condition. Bausch + Lomb has developed a first-in-class dual-action eye drop that combines 5% lifitegrast (the active ingredient in XIIDRA ® ) and perfluorohexyloctane (PFHO; the active ingredient in MIEBO ® ) into a single twice-daily treatment designed to address both ocular surface inflammation and tear evaporation – two of the primary underlying causes of dry eye disease. Study Design and Results A four-week, randomized, double-masked, parallel-group, active-controlled Phase 2 study enrolled 443 patients with dry eye disease (age 18 and older) across six arms: the dual-action eye drop, lifitegrast alone, PFHO alone and three vehicle masking controls. This was the first clinical study of the combination, and Day 29 was selected as the primary endpoint timepoint in the absence of prior human data on the timing of the combined treatment effect. The study did not meet its primary endpoint of superiority over lifitegrast alone in reducing total corneal fluorescein staining (tCFS) from baseline at Day 29, although results numerically favored the dual-action eye drop (p=0.196). A pre-specified secondary analysis at Day 15 – a timepoint accepted by the Food and Drug Administration as a registrational primary endpoint for tCFS – showed a significant reduction in mean change from baseline tCFS for the dual-action eye drop versus lifitegrast alone (p=0.0007). At Day 15, 41.6% of patients treated with the dual-action eye drop achieved a ≥3-unit improvement in tCFS, compared with 18.8% of patients treated with lifitegrast alone and 31.6% treated with PFHO alone. The safety pro all three treatment groups was consistent with the established profiles of XIIDRA and MIEBO, with no new safety signals identified. Path to Phase 3 The data provide a clear path forward, and Bausch + Lomb will advance the dual-action eye drop into Phase 3 development with a primary endpoint at Day 15. Notably, the dual-action eye drop achieved these results with more than 50% less lifitegrast volume than XIIDRA and half the dosing frequency of MIEBO. The company believes this profile – a rapid treatment effect at a lower drug load and simplified dosing regimen – supports the design of Phase 3 studies to demonstrate superiority to both individual therapies. Details of the Phase 3 program will be shared in the coming months. “This was the first time this combination has been studied in humans, and it did exactly what a Phase 2 should do: demonstrated a rapid, robust treatment effect and told us precisely when to measure it,” said Yehia Hashad, MD, executive vice president, R&D and chief medical officer, Bausch + Lomb. “With a pre-specified result of this strength at a registrationally accepted timepoint achieved with less drug than the individual therapies, and the ability to increase the dose based on an acceptable safety profile, we’re advancing to Phase 3 with a clear design and high conviction.” Ocular Surface Pain Program: Positive Phase 1b Results Confirm TRPV1 Mechanism in Humans and Support Continued Development of BL1332; Phase 2 Results Expected Within Next Few Months Ocular surface pain is the leading reason patients seek care from eye care professionals and can affect individuals with dry eye disease, corneal disease and post-surgical complications. Despite its prevalence and impact on quality of life, there are currently no approved therapies specifically designed to target the underlying neurosensory pathways responsible for ocular surface pain, leaving many patients with limited treatment options. Bausch + Lomb has developed BL1332, a first-in-class topical TRPV1 antagonist designed to target a key receptor involved in ocular pain signaling. Unlike therapies that primarily address associated signs or symptoms, BL1332 is intended to directly modulate the biological pathways that drive ocular surface pain. The investigational therapy is being evaluated as a potential treatment for multiple forms of ocular surface pain, including post-surgical, acute and chronic conditions. Based on its mechanism and clinical experience to date, the company believes BL1332 could support development across multiple ocular surface pain patient populations. Study Design and Results A Phase 1b study evaluated BL1332 0.30% ophthalmic solution in a capsaicin-induced ocular pain challenge model in healthy adult participants. The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity compared with vehicle and providing the first clinical confirmation that TRPV1 blockade can reduce ocular pain in humans beyond acute post-surgical pain. At five seconds following capsaicin challenge, BL1332-treated eyes experienced a 5.5-point reduction in mean pain intensity versus vehicle (p<0.0001). In exploratory analyses, 68.2% of BL1332-treated eyes achieved complete pain resolution compared with 0% of vehicle-treated eyes (p<0.0001), while no BL1332-treated eyes reported severe pain compared with 36.4% of vehicle-treated eyes receiving vehicle (p<0.01). Mean duration of pain following capsaicin challenge was also markedly shorter with BL1332 than with vehicle (1.6 versus 37.8 seconds; p<0.0001). The safety pro acceptable and consistent with previous clinical experience, with no new safety signals identified. The company believes these results validate the underlying mechanism of BL1332 and provide a foundation for ongoing studies designed to evaluate the therapy in patients experiencing clinically relevant ocular pain conditions. Path Forward Bausch + Lomb is currently evaluating BL1332 in an ongoing Phase 2 study in patients experiencing pain following photorefractive keratectomy surgery, with topline results expected in the coming months. The study is intended to assess the potential of BL1332 in a real-world clinical setting and represents the next step in defining the therapeutic pro the program. Beyond post-surgical pain, the company believes BL1332's mechanism may have potential relevance across multiple ocular surface pain conditions, including pain associated with dry eye disease and other acute and chronic ocular disorders. Future development decisions will be informed by ongoing clinical results and discussions with regulatory authorities. “These results provide the first clinical evidence that targeting TRPV1 can meaningfully reduce ocular pain in humans that have not just undergone surgery,” stated Hashad. “They also strengthen our confidence in the mechanism as we continue evaluating BL1332 in patients with clinically relevant pain conditions.” Potential Financial Impact As shared at Investor Day in November 2025, estimated peak sales for the dual-action dry eye disease therapy are approximately $700 million, assuming successful development and commercialization. Peak sales for BL1332, the ocular surface pain candidate, are estimated at approximately $1.4 billion, assuming successful development and labeling across multiple ocular surface pain conditions. Both programs are expected to provide a meaningful financial contribution upon approval and commercialization beyond 2028, further supporting Bausch + Lomb's long-term growth outlook. The company remains on track to achieve the three-year targets outlined at Investor Day. Call with R&D Leadership Today at 5:30 p.m. ET, Brent Saunders will be joined by Dr. Yehia Hashad and Dr. Mayssa Attar for a presentation of the results followed by a Q&A session. Details: Date: Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 Time: 5:30 p.m. ET Webcast: Participant Event Dial-in: +1 (888) 506-0062 (North America) +1 (973) 528-0011 (International) Participant Access Code: 868187 Replay Dial-in: +1 (877) 481-4010 (North America) +1 (919) 882-2331 (International) Replay Passcode: 54475 (replay available until Sept. 7, 2026) About Bausch + Lomb Our mission is simple – we help people see better to live better, all over the world. For nearly two centuries we’ve evolved with the changing needs of patients and customers, and our commitment to innovation and improving the standard of care in eye health has never been stronger. From contact lenses to prescription products, over-the-counter options, surgical devices and more, we’re turning bold ideas into better outcomes through passion, perseverance and purpose. Learn more at and connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , X and YouTube . Forward-looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “seeks,” “expects,” “plans,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “believes,” “potential,” “pending” or “proposed” and variations or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements including the company’s estimates for potential peak sales of its pipeline products and the company’s plans for future development and the timing of same. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Bausch + Lomb’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch + Lomb undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law. © 2026 Bausch + Lomb. ________________________ 1 Represents total projected peak sales of both pipeline products, with anticipated peaks staggered based on launch dates. Contacts Media Contact: Caryn Marshall caryn.marshall@bausch.com (908) 493-1381 Investor Contact: George Gadkowski george.gadkowski@bausch.com (877) 354-3705 (toll free)