FOR RELEASE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, today announced that the agreement between Valeant and Croma, under which Valeant will distribute Croma’s ophthalmology and orthopedics products in Western Europe, would also provide an opportunity to introduce a range of complementary products into the United States market that expand Bausch + Lomb’s ophthalmic portfolio.

“We are committed to providing U.S. ophthalmic surgeons with the broadest product line in the industry, allowing them to make the right choices for their patients from an array of cataract, refractive, and retinal devices,” said Dr. Ari Kellen, head of U.S. eye health, Bausch + Lomb. “Our agreement with Croma gives us access to a rich basket of products on the European market today as well as others currently in development. This access is part of our ongoing strategy to grow our ophthalmic business and meet the needs of our U.S. customers.”

Through the transaction, which was announced earlier this month, Valeant acquired hundreds of distinct medical products including viscoelastics, IOLs, surgical instruments, dry eye and anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals. Since Croma’s products are not yet currently available in the United States, regulatory approvals will be sought.

“The access to quality surgical implants and devices is essential to the effective management of our patient’s quality of vision. Through this acquisition of Croma Pharmaceuticals and Valeant’s commitment to gain approvals for products in the U.S., I’m looking forward to having new product offerings to help enhance the care for my patients” said Steven Silverstein, M.D., Kansas City, MO. 

“I have been involved in some of the clinical work currently under way with several of the Croma products and am pleased to know we will have several additional options in the future for our cataract patients,” said Toby Tyson, M.D., Ft. Myers, Fla.

About Bausch + Lomb 
Bausch + Lomb, a Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. company, is a leading global eye health organization that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing, and restoring people's eyesight. Our core businesses include ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. We develop, manufacture and market one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in our industry with products available in more than 100 countries.

News Media Contacts:
Kristy Marks 
U.S. Public Relations Product Manager, Bausch + Lomb 
585-338-8095 or kristy.marks@bausch.com 

Tad Heitmann
BioComm Network on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
(714) 273-2937 or theitmann@BioCommNetwork.com