AMO launched out of Allergan

Today (June 28) sees the formation of Advanced Medical Optics a new company spun out of Allergan to market all of its current contact lens care products and its eye care surgical products.
In the UK, these include the Complete, Oxysept and Total Care ranges of contact lens care products, which will eventually carry the AMO name. AMO will also sell the Refresh and Refresh Contact comfort products on behalf of Allergan and will also sell ophthalmology products such as intraocular lenses.
As from today, AMOÕs 32 UK staff will be based in a new 8,900sq ft, headquarters in Buckinghamshire, 15 miles down the M40 from its current High Wycombe base.
Chris Stean, sales and marketing director for the UK and north west Europe, said optical practices would now deal with AMO for all Allergan products.
As from July 1, all business would be conducted with AMO and the company would be a completely separate entity from Allergan.
ÔIt will be a seamless transition and invoicing will change as of July,Õ he said.
A bond issue to coincide with the formation of AMO raised $200m and from July 1 the shares in the company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Mr Stean reiterated the point that AMO was completely separate from Allergan and in the coming months would develop a new strategy for the eye care business.
ÔWe will be looking to develop new and varied products in the field of vision correction,Õ he said. Allergan will concentrate on its core pharmaceutical business.