May 28 (Reuters) - Eye-care drugmaker Alcon

said on Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has

approved its treatment for dry eye disease (DED).

Spun off from Novartis in 2019, Alcon is betting on

new product launches to accelerate sales growth in the second

half of 2025 and beyond.

The approval was based on late-stage studies in which the

liquid medication, Tryptyr, demonstrated natural tear production

as early as day one.

The company said Tryptyr stimulates corneal sensory nerves

to quickly increase natural tear production.

DED is a condition in which the eyes either do not produce

enough tears or produce poor-quality tears, leading to

discomfort and potentially affecting vision.

The company said about 38 million individuals in the United

States suffer from DED, yet fewer than 10% of diagnosed patients

are being treated with a prescription product.

Alcon, which produces contact lenses, dry eye drops, gels

and other related products, expects to launch Tryptyr in the

United States during the third quarter of 2025, with plans to

introduce the treatment in other markets later.

Other FDA-approved treatments for DED include Alcon's

Eysuvis and Bausch + Lomb's ( BLCO ) Xiidra.

Last month, however, the FDA declined to approve Aldeyra

Therapeutics' ( ALDX ) treatment for DED.