Bausch & Lomb, a manufacturer of eye care products is expanding an agreement with biotechnology firm, Talecris Biotherapeutics, to develop a recombinant plasmin.Bausch & Lomb believes rplasmin have potentials for use in developing novel therapies for ocular conditions, particularly those for in which surgery is the primary treatment option.

Under the new license, Bausch & Lomb will help develop rPlasmin, a recombinant derivative of the human blood component plasmin that helps to dissolve blood clots. Bausch & Lomb will get rights to the compound for eye care applications, whereas Talecris will retain rights for non-eye uses like treating blood clots in veins and arteries.

B&L is enrolling patients in early-stage clinical trials to evaluate Plasmin's therapeutic potential to relieve retinal traction.

[Source/Image: Bausch & Lomb]