Lenz Therapeutics on Monday announced the launch of a new telemedicine prescribing option for its aceclidine eye drops, Biz, to improve patient access to the drug.
Consumers can use VIZZ.com, an integrated telemedicine platform, to fill out an online medical history form and connect to an independent network of eye care professionals to determine eligibility based on their medical history. Vizz prescriptions are automatically routed and processed by the pharmaceutical company’s e-pharmacy partners. A telehealth visit will cost consumers $35, according to a bulletin from investment bank Leerink Partners.
Vizz is a 1.44% aceclidine solution used to treat presbyopia in adults. Presbyopia is a type of farsightedness characterized as near blurring that is usually associated with age. Fierce Pharma reported that it received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August.
The company will promote its new telehealth service alongside a national TV ad campaign starring Sarah Jessica Parker.
Parker first partnered with the company in January for its “Make It Vizzable” campaign, Fierce Pharma Marketing reported.
Eef Schimmelpennink, president and CEO of Lenz Therapeutics, said in a statement that the company’s goal is to make access to Vizz “seamless and possible.”
“Vizz continues to deliver the real-world effectiveness we expected, and our telemedicine platform provides a convenient option for the majority of the 128 million Americans living with presbyopia who are unable to visit their eye doctor each year,” said Schimmelpennink. “Through the launch of this platform, we are removing an important hurdle to product access by providing consumers with a safe and convenient way to receive an online evaluation from an independent licensed eye care professional who can determine if Vizz is right for them.”
Schimmelpennink said the company believes the combination of new telemedicine options and a national TV advertising campaign will “help accelerate consumer awareness, access and adoption” of the solution.
Investment bank Leerink Partners said the commercial launch of Lenz Viz was slower than expected.
Analysts at Leerink Partners said in a flash note that the company faces two main hurdles: integrating Vizz into eye care professionals’ daily routines and consumer convenience. While there is little reason for ophthalmologists to proactively prescribe Vizz, patients face friction when scheduling or attending consultations in the office.
“Moving to a more patient-driven telemedicine Rx model addresses both challenges by eliminating the need for ECPs (eye care professionals) to deliver Vizzes and providing a convenient way for motivated patients to find products on their own. Other aesthetic Rxs delivered through telemedicine, such as GLP-1, acne medications, and hair growth products. “We believe this is a more sustainable model given the product’s success,” the analysts wrote.
