VIZZ eye drops improve vision within minutes. Mechanism, trials, and what to watch.
FDA-approved aceclidine 1.44% eye drops to improve near vision in presbyopia. Once daily: 1 drop/eye, wait 2 min, then a 2nd drop from a single-use, preservative-free vial. Effect observed within ~30–180 min and measured up to 10 hours [1].
Why is it different? A pupil-selective miotic (pin-hole effect) aimed to extend depth of focus with minimal ciliary stimulation — a mechanistic contrast to the pilocarpine class (VUITY®, QLOSI™). Caution for dim/night vision (label) [1].
Proofs (trial quality). randomized, double-masked, controlled trial CLARITY-1-2 (n=466; 42 days;) hit the primary endpoint – ≥3-line vision gain at 40 cm without distance loss at 3 h on Day 1.
CLARITY-3 (n=217; 6 months) supports safety.
Limitations: short efficacy window; 6-month safety; no head-to-head vs pilocarpine.
From old chemistry to new market. Aceclidine was sold in Europe for glaucoma circa 1970 (Chibret/Glaucostat). 2025 marks its first FDA approval – an “old molecule, new indication” story [2].
Capital behind the launch. Publicly disclosed raises include $47M Series A (2021), $83.5M Series B (2023), and a $53.5M PIPE completed with the Graphite Bio merger (Mar 2024), company reported ~$210M cash post-close to fund commercialization [3, 4, 5].
Commercial notes.
Positioning: Differentiated MOA vs VUITY/QLOSI; no head-to-head data yet – expect clinical messaging to lean on pupil selectivity/duration.
Ops: Single-dose vials + refrigeration affect sampling, in-office inventory, and patient handling; label advises caution for night driving.
Access: Pricing not announced; early market likely cash-pay + coupons, then payer pilots. (Inference based on class precedents.)
Watch next: real-world persistence beyond 3–6 months, evening-use tolerance (dim vision), payer coverage signals, and any head-to-head or real-world comparative data.
