Bio-Technology General's (BTG) Biolon, a syringe containingsodium hyaluronate solution for use in ophthalmic procedures,was approved in South Korea, the company announced. It is thefifth country to approve the product.

Biolon was approved in Israel last year and launched there afew months ago. It also was recently approved in Spain,Germany and Canada. A license application has not been filedin the U.S. because of patent considerations. Pharmacia marketsa similar hyaluronic acid product, Healon, in the U.S.

Hyaluronic acid is currently indicated for use in ophthalmicprocedures such as cataract removal and intraoccular lensimplantation. BTG spokeswoman Leah Berkovits noted that ithas the potential for other uses, such as arthritis and woundhealing. Other companies are pursuing these indications.

BTG of New York manufactures the solution and fills thesyringes, and its marketing partner distributes the product.Kyung Dong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. will market the product inSouth Korea. Biolon is the second BTG product to be marketedin South Korea. Its human growth hormone has been marketedin South Korea under the trade name Sci-Tropin for severalyears.

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