BL1243 (tonabersat)

October 6, 2026: Bausch + Lomb (NYSE/TSX: BLCO) said an FDA meeting provided clarity on the development path for BL1243 (tonabersat), an investigational oral treatment for earlier-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The FDA was supportive in principle of the proposed initial study design, which is intended to evaluate pharmacokinetics and safety.

The company said that, barring unexpected findings, results from this initial study are expected to support advancement into a Phase 2 trial in dry AMD patients who have not yet developed advanced retinal damage. Bausch + Lomb plans to begin the dry AMD clinical development program in 2027.

The release also cites prior clinical experience with tonabersat in about 2,100 people, including a 63-participant DRCR Retina Network study in diabetic macular edema. In that study, oral tonabersat 80 mg showed evidence of target engagement and pharmacologic activity and was tolerated, according to a March 2026 Ophthalmology Science publication. The company is now advancing tonabersat as BL1243 for dry AMD.