SIFI ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF EPICOLIN, COMPREHENSIVE SUPPLEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA

SIFI ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF EPICOLIN, COMPREHENSIVE SUPPLEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA

EpiColin completes SIFI’S selection of solutions dedicated to glaucoma patients

Catania, ITALY December 5, 2022 – SIFI, a leading pharmaceutical company in the development of innovative solutions for the treatment of eye diseases, is pleased to announce the launch in Italy of EpiColin, a comprehensive food supplement dedicated to patients suffering from glaucoma.

Following Amiriox and Ecbirio, intraocular pressure drugs fully reimbursed by the Italian NHS, EpiColin is the third innovation in the glaucoma therapeutic area introduced by SIFI in the second half of 2022.

EpiColin is a food supplement based on plant extracts of Coleus forskohlii and green tea, with citicoline, homotaurine, vitamins B and vitamin E, a valuable supplement to intraocular pressure therapy for the management of glaucoma, a chronic degenerative disease.

“It is common knowledge today that eye pressure is not the only risk factor for glaucoma progression.” said Dr. Matteo Sacchi, Head of the Glaucoma Center of the University Ophthalmology Clinic, San Giuseppe Hospital - IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, during a recent congress in Italy dedicated to glaucoma, "Growing attention is now also focused on aspects such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, confirming the importance of a synergistic therapeutic approach that includes a short-term and long-term perspective view of the patient.”

In patients with glaucoma, the disease can in fact progress despite reduction of intra-ocular pressure^1-3, and it is therefore necessary to support therapy in order to prevent or delay the degenerative process of the retinal cells^4-5.

EpiColin’s comprehensive therapeutic supplementation has been designed to produce a significant neuroprotective and antioxidant effect thanks to the combined action of the individual well-known and reliable components, complementing intraocular pressure therapy. The neuroprotective effect of nutraceuticals has been demonstrated both in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, and in clinical studies⁶.

Recent estimates, show that there are 550,000 confirmed patients in Italy suffering from glaucoma with an incidence that increases with age, affecting more than 10% of subjects over 70 years of age. It is estimated that in the next 20 years there will be a 33% increase in confirmed cases in Italy with peaks of 50% in regions where more significant aging is expected.⁷

GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is an eye disease generally related to high intraocular pressure. According to the WHO, around 60 million people are affected worldwide⁸. It is the second cause of blindness worldwide after cataract, but it is the first irreversible⁹ cause of blindness.

AMIRIOX™ e ECBIRIO™

Amiriox™ (bimatoprost 0.3 mg/ml) and Ecbirio™ (bimatoprost 0.3 mg/ml + timolol 5 mg/ml) are, respectively, the new monotherapy and fixed combination eye drops approved for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients. Amiriox™ and Ecbirio™ are available in a multi-dose preservative free presentation that helps protect the ocular surface and ensures a longer in-use stability (up to 90 days).

SIFI
SIFI is a leading international ophthalmic company, headquartered in Italy, focusing on eye care since 1935. SIFI develops, manufactures, and markets innovative therapeutic solutions for patients with ophthalmic conditions. SIFI is fully committed through its R&D to improving the quality of life of patients, exporting treatments to more than 25 countries worldwide with a direct presence in Italy, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Romania, Mexico, and Turkey.

Further Information:
Ufficio Stampa & Comunicazione SIFI
press@sifigroup.com
+39 3336999669

1. Loskutova E, et al. Surv Ophthalmol. 2019 Mar-Apr;64(2):195-216. 2. Cammalleri M, et al. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 23;12(4):1189. 3. Mohan N, et al. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jun;70(6):1920-1930. 4. Rusciano D, et al. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2017;2017:4320408.5. Morrone LA, et al. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2018;16(7):1004-1017. 6. Sim RH, et al. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 26;14(3):534. 7. Fonte S.O.I 8. AAVV, “Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990–2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis”, Lancet Glob Health. 2017 Dec;5(12):e1221-e1234. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30393-5. Epub 2017 Oct 8. 9. Fonte: IAPB Internaz.