Bausch Health Companies Inc. (BHC, Financial) has traded in a low range for years, but that could soon change. The company is making progress on its research and recently announced a collaboration with the Glaucoma Research Foundation to raise awareness of hyperemia and how it may have an impact on the lives of patients with glaucoma. It is also in the process of further splitting up its business, which could unlock value for investors.
About Bausch
Bausch Health Companies is a specialty pharmaceutical company pharmaceutical company that operates under the Bausch + Lomb umbrella. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. It has its headquarters in Laval, Canada.
Glaucoma research
Bausch released new key findings from a survey of glaucoma patients that was designed to gain a greater understanding of the impact that hyperemia can have in the treatment and lives of people living with glaucoma. In the United States, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in individuals over 60, affecting approximately three million people.
"Bausch + Lomb is proud to collaborate with Glaucoma Research Foundation to raise awareness of hyperemia and how it may have an impact on the lives of patients with glaucoma," said Joe Gordon, the president of Bausch + Lomb's U.S. operations. "The survey results demonstrated that the emotional cost of hyperemia is high, with 71 percent of participants feeling self-conscious and 55 percent feeling embarrassed about their red eyes. It is our hope that by raising awareness of this issue, we can help facilitate discussions among patients and their eye care professionals about their options and the importance of adhering to their treatment regimen."
"These findings build upon earlier evidence that hyperemia presents a challenge to people with glaucoma and sheds light on how the condition may not only impact how they treat their glaucoma, but how they live their lives," said Andrew Iwach, M.D., board chair of the Glaucoma Research Foundation and executive director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco, in a press release. "The results reinforce the importance for eye care professionals to have an open dialogue with their patients about the available treatment options and any concerns that they may have. This can help patients to feel confident about managing their glaucoma and demonstrate the importance of taking control of their eye health by maintaining the appropriate treatment regimen."
Hyperemia may occur due to multiple causes such as in response to allergic inflammation, irritants, infections, and multiple ocular diseases, and is also the most common documented side effect of certain glaucoma treatments.
Upcoming spinoff
Appearing on CNBC’s Halftime Report yesterday, Mad Money host Jim Cramer praised Bausch Health’s plan to spin off its medical aesthetics unit. Building off of Bausch's previous split into Bausch Health and Bausch + Lomb, this effectively divides the Bausch + Lomb empire into three parts:
- Bausch + Lomb – A fully integrated, pure play eye health company built on the iconic Bausch + Lomb brand and long history of innovation
- Bausch Health – A diversified pharmaceutical company with leading positions in gastroenterology, aesthetics/dermatology, neurology and international pharmaceutical
- Solta Medical - Bausch Health's medical aesthetics business.
“I like a big breakup story,” Cramer said, according to CNBC. “Among planned splits at Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, Financial), General Electric (GE, Financial) and Bausch, I like Bausch Health as the best breakup,” he added.
Cramer’s charitable trust started a position in Bausch Health on Dec. 20, 2021, adding to the portfolio’s health stock exposure, according to CNBC. “Earlier Wednesday, the trust hiked its price target on Bausch Health shares to $36, up from $29. Shares of Bausch Health are essentially flat to start 2022. However, over the past 12 months, the stock is up more than 26%.”
