Viatris

Stories

The race to replace reading glasses

Markets RYZUMVI for presbyopia in the U.S. under an agreement with Opus Genetics

For 240 years, reading glasses have treated presbyopia—the gradual loss of near vision that affects nearly everyone over 45—unchanged since Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals in 1785. Two billion people worldwide still rely on reading glasses today. On January 29, 2026, the FDA approved YUVEZZI (carbachol and brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution), the first dual-agent eye drop for presbyopia. On October 16, 2026, the agency approved a fourth drop, RYZUMVI (phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75%) from Viatris, widening the market.

Updated Oct 17

Zymeworks completes Theravance acquisition, adds COPD drug YUPELRI

Money Moves

As of October 2026: Collaboration partner handling YUPELRI community promotion

Zymeworks, a Vancouver biotech built on research partnerships, now owns a commercial medicine. The Sept. 23 closing of its Theravance Biopharma acquisition added YUPELRI, a once-daily nebulized COPD treatment that posted $133.1 million in sales in the first half of 2026, plus the hospital sales team behind it.

Updated Oct 4