Ista Pharmaceuticals
Ista Pharmaceuticals was a U.S. specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company founded in 1992 that developed and marketed prescription therapeutics for eye diseases and conditions. After being acquired by Valeant/Bausch Health, the Ista brand and product portfolio were integrated into Bausch + Lomb and the NASDAQ listing (ISTA) was delisted.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1853
- HeadquartersIrvine, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ista Pharmaceuticals does
Ista Pharmaceuticals was a U.S.-based specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company founded in 1992 and headquartered in Irvine, California. The company discovered, developed, and commercialized prescription therapeutics for diseases and conditions of the eye, including treatments for inflammation, infection, glaucoma, post-surgical care, and dry eye, reaching patients through ophthalmologists and optometrists. Ista raised $65 million in a September 2008 financing led by Deerfield and Sanderling Ventures, and acquired AcSentient in May 2002 to expand its development pipeline. Robert McNeil served as Chairman during the company's independent operating history.
Ista was subsequently acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals (later Bausch Health) and integrated into its Bausch + Lomb eye-health business. Following the acquisition, Ista's NASDAQ listing (ISTA) was delisted and the company's web presence now redirects to bausch.com. The Ista-developed and adjacent prescription ophthalmic products — including ALREX, BESIVANCE, MIEBO, PROLENSA, VISUDYNE, VYZULTA, XIIDRA, XIPERE, ZIRGAN, and ZYLET — are now distributed under the Bausch + Lomb umbrella through the company's Patient Assistance Program and broader commercial channels. The standalone Ista entity therefore no longer operates independently; its products, regulatory assets, and commercial relationships are subsumed within Bausch + Lomb's global ophthalmic pharmaceutical franchise.
Ista Pharmaceuticals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ista Pharmaceuticals
- Legal name
- Bausch + Lomb Corporation
- Website
- https://bausch.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1853
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Ista Pharmaceuticals was a U.S. specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company founded in 1992 that developed and marketed prescription therapeutics for eye diseases and conditions. After being acquired by Valeant/Bausch Health, the Ista brand and product portfolio were integrated into Bausch + Lomb and the NASDAQ listing (ISTA) was delisted.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ista Pharmaceuticals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ophthalmology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Contact Lenses & Care Systems (Soft/RGP/Scleral Lenses; Cleaning/Disinfection Solutions) (HLAHAJAE), Ocular Drug Delivery Devices (Eye Droppers/Inserts) (HLAHAIAL), Eye, Ear & Nasal Care (HLAIADAF), Ophthalmology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAK)
Keywords
Where Ista Pharmaceuticals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irvine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Ista Pharmaceuticals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Prescription Pharmaceuticals: Rx pharmaceuticals sold through healthcare providers and pharmacies for various eye conditions including glaucoma, post-surgical care, retinal conditions, infections, and dry eye
- Contact Lenses: Daily disposable and monthly contact lenses sold through eye care professionals and retail channels
- Lens Care Products: Multi-purpose solutions, rewetting drops, and cleaners for contact lens care
- Over-the-Counter Eye Care: OTC products including dry eye relief, redness relief, allergy relief, eye vitamins, and eye wash sold through retail
- Surgical Products: Surgical devices and diagnostic products for ophthalmic procedures
- Eye Beauty (Lumify): Consumer beauty and eye care aesthetic products
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Ista Pharmaceuticals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ista Pharmaceuticals discovered, developed, and marketed prescription pharmaceutical remedies for diseases and conditions of the eye in the United States. Its portfolio targeted inflammatory, infectious, allergic, dry eye, and post-surgical ocular conditions. Following its acquisition by Bausch + Lomb, its products and pipeline became part of Bausch + Lomb's broader Rx pharmaceuticals portfolio, which today includes ophthalmic suspensions, solutions, gels, and injectable products such as XIIDRA, MIEBO, VYZULTA, PROLENSA, BESIVANCE, ALREX, ZIRGAN, ZYLET, XIPERE, and VISUDYNE.
Product overview
Bausch + Lomb is a global eye health company with a diversified portfolio spanning four main categories: Vision Care (contact lenses and lens care solutions), Consumer Health (over-the-counter eye care products and supplements), Pharmaceutical Products (prescription medications for glaucoma, post-surgical care, retinal conditions, infections, and allergies), and Surgical/Diagnostics (surgical equipment and diagnostic products). The company operates as a subsidiary of Bausch Health and has been dedicated to eye health for nearly two centuries. Its Patient Assistance Program provides prescription medications at no cost to eligible patients, including branded products like XIIDRA, MIEBO, VYZULTA, VISUDYNE, XIPERE, ZYLET, ZIRGAN, BESIVANCE, ALREX, and PROLENSA.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Lumify: Eye beauty products including redness relief eye drops
- ONE by ONE Recycling Program
Products and services
- Prescription Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals Prescription pharmaceutical products targeting inflammatory, infectious, allergic, dry eye, and post-surgical ocular conditions in U.S. patients.
- XIIDRA (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% Prescription anti-inflammatory ophthalmic solution for dry eye disease.
- MIEBO (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution) Prescription ophthalmic solution for dry eye disease.
- VYZULTA (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution) 0.024% Prescription prostaglandin analog for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
- PROLENSA (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.07% Prescription NSAID ophthalmic solution for eye inflammation and post-operative pain.
- ALREX (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 0.2% Prescription ophthalmic suspension for eye inflammation relief.
- BESIVANCE (besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension) 0.6% Prescription antibiotic ophthalmic suspension for bacterial conjunctivitis.
- ZIRGAN (ganciclovir ophthalmic gel) 0.15% Prescription antiviral gel for herpes simplex keratitis.
- ZYLET (loteprednol etabonate 0.5% and tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic suspension) Prescription combination steroid and antibiotic ophthalmic suspension for inflammation and bacterial infections.
- XIPERE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) 40mg/ml Prescription corticosteroid injection for ocular inflammation.
- VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) Prescription photodynamic therapy agent for age-related macular degeneration and other retinal conditions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 690,000 pounds of contact lens and eye care materials collected through recycling program
Companies that use Ista Pharmaceuticals
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Ista Pharmaceuticals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Ista Pharmaceuticals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- TerraCyclecorePartnership with TerraCycle to run the ONE by ONE Recycling Program, which collects used contact lenses, lens care packaging, and eye care materials to prevent environmental pollution. The program has collected over 690,000 pounds of materials.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Ista Pharmaceuticals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: Developer of Eylea, the leading anti-VEGF therapy for retinal disease. Broad incumbent in the retinal pharma category where Bausch + Lomb competes with VISUDYNE and XIPERE, with materially larger R&D budget.
- Carl Zeiss Meditec: Ophthalmic diagnostics and surgical equipment manufacturer (slit lamps, OCT, surgical microscopes, IOLs). Broad incumbent in Bausch + Lomb's surgical/diagnostics franchise with deep installed base in ophthalmology practices.
- AbbVie (Allergan Aesthetics / Eye Care): Through its Allergan acquisition, AbbVie holds a significant ophthalmic pharma portfolio (e.g., eye drops, dry eye). Broad incumbent competitor with overlapping Rx assets and stronger cash flow to fund lifecycle management.
Direct peers
- Santen Pharmaceutical: Japan-based specialty ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on glaucoma, dry eye, and retinal diseases. Direct Rx pharma peer with overlapping therapeutic categories (especially glaucoma and dry eye) and complementary geographic strength in Asia.
- CooperVision: Specialty contact lens manufacturer (daily, two-week, monthly, toric, multifocal, scleral). Directly competes in Bausch + Lomb's contact lens and lens care franchise with similar product mix and practitioner channel.
- Alcon: Largest pure-play global eye care company (Surgical, Vision Care, Pharmaceuticals). Directly competes with Bausch + Lomb across contact lenses, surgical devices, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals with overlapping portfolio and channels.
- Johnson & Johnson Vision (Acuvue): Vision Care division of Johnson & Johnson selling the Acuvue contact lens family and cataract/IOL surgical products. Direct competitor in contact lenses and surgical, with comparable global distribution and brand scale.
Regional players
- Hoya Corporation (Vision Care): Japan-headquartered diversified company with a significant ophthalmic lens and contact lens business. Regional peer with strong Asia presence, comparable products in spectacle and contact lenses, and competing IOLs.
Emerging players
- Glaukos Corporation: Pioneer in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) devices such as iStent. Emerging player with partial overlap in Bausch + Lomb's surgical and glaucoma Rx business via device-based interventions.
- STAAR Surgical: Specialty surgical company focused on Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL) and IOLs. Emerging player with meaningful overlap in refractive/ophthalmic surgical segments where Bausch + Lomb also competes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ista Pharmaceuticals social profiles
Digital presenceIsta Pharmaceuticals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ista Pharmaceuticals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ista Pharmaceuticals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ista Pharmaceuticals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ista Pharmaceuticals
What does Ista Pharmaceuticals do?
Ista Pharmaceuticals discovered, developed, and marketed prescription pharmaceutical remedies for diseases and conditions of the eye in the United States. Its portfolio targeted inflammatory, infectious, allergic, dry eye, and post-surgical ocular conditions. Following its acquisition by Bausch + Lomb, its products and pipeline became part of Bausch + Lomb's broader Rx pharmaceuticals portfolio, which today includes ophthalmic suspensions, solutions, gels, and injectable products such as XIIDRA, MIEBO, VYZULTA, PROLENSA, BESIVANCE, ALREX, ZIRGAN, ZYLET, XIPERE, and VISUDYNE.
Is Ista Pharmaceuticals a public or private company?
Ista Pharmaceuticals is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Ista Pharmaceuticals founded?
Ista Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1853. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Ista Pharmaceuticals based?
Ista Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Irvine, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ista Pharmaceuticals make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Prescription Pharmaceuticals are the primary driver. The others are contact Lenses, lens Care Products, over-the-Counter Eye Care, surgical Products and eye Beauty (Lumify).
Who are Ista Pharmaceuticals's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Carl Zeiss Meditec and AbbVie (Allergan Aesthetics / Eye Care). Direct peers are Santen Pharmaceutical, CooperVision, Alcon and Johnson & Johnson Vision (Acuvue). Hoya Corporation (Vision Care) is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Glaukos Corporation and STAAR Surgical.
Does Ista Pharmaceuticals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ista Pharmaceuticals.
What industry is Ista Pharmaceuticals in?
Ista Pharmaceuticals's product category is Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAAAL, Ophthalmology Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAHAJAE, Contact Lenses & Care Systems (Soft/RGP/Scleral Lenses; Cleaning/Disinfection Solutions). Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.