Santen Launches TAPCOM^® in China for Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension

September 1, 2025, - Osaka, Japan - Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Santen) announced the commercial launch by Chinese subsidiary Santen Pharmaceutical (China) Co., Ltd. of TAPCOM^® (generic name: Tafluprost and Timolol Maleate Eye Drops; hereinafter the product) in China for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, offering new treatment options to patients for whom topical β-receptor blocker or prostaglandin derivatives monotherapies failed to achieve target IOP, and to patients who may benefit from preservative-free eye drops.

The product is a preservative-free, fixed-combination eye drop of tafluprost 0.0015% (co-developed by Santen and AGC Inc.) and timolol 0.5%. The active metabolite of tafluprost (tafluprost acid), an ingredient in this formulation, is a prostanoid FP receptor agonist and promotes aqueous humor outflow, while the other ingredient, timolol maleate, is a nonselective β-receptor blocker and reduces aqueous humor production. Among existing glaucoma treatments in China, the product will be the first preservative-free ophthalmic combination formulation in China containing a first-line prostaglandin derivative. The same efficacy and safety as combination therapy can be achieved with once-daily administration, further improving convenience, compliance and quality of life of patients compared with the concomitant use of two eye drops. Reducing preservative exposure at the same time can increase the benefits for glaucoma patients taking long-term medications.

Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged by increased IOP, causing progressive visual field loss; if not treated appropriately, it can lead to blindness. As of 2020, the number of glaucoma patients in China totaled more than 21.8 million, leading to 5.67 million cases of blindness.¹ Since glaucoma is difficult to detect even after onset^2-3, most patients present at advance stages when seeking medical attention.³ In addition, approximately 75% of patients diagnosed with glaucoma require multiple medications in combination to achieve target IOP after two years of monotherapy.⁴

The Chinese Glaucoma Guidelines (2022) states that the use of multiple medications may compromise treatment adherence, and in cases preservatives are included, increase glaucoma patients' exposure to preservatives. Preservative-induced ocular surface disease has become a significant concern in glaucoma management. In addition, the guidelines and consensus recommend the use of preservative-free drugs for glaucoma patients.⁵ Therefore, these guidelines and consensus suggest fixed-dose combination therapies by preservative-free drugs possibly offer patients more effective, safer, and convenient treatment options.

Dr. Shawn Xiang, Head of Santen China Business said: “The launch of the product is a great demonstration of Santen’s patient-centric values and our strong commitment to Chinese patients. As a leader in ophthalmology, Santen will accelerate the introduction of our cutting-edge products and treatment solutions into China to address the significant unmet medical needs of Chinese patients and contribute Santen’s strength and expertise to support the advancement of eye health in China.”

To date, the product has launched in 47 countries and regions with profound evidence-based data and clinical experience.

References

1. Glaucoma Group, Ophthalmology Branch, Chinese Medical Association, et al. Chinese Glaucoma Guidelines [M]. Buclas.2022.
2. Wang Ningli, et al. Outlook on the prevention and treatment of glaucoma in China [J]. Eye Science 36(6): 400-404, 2021.
3. Jiang Junhong, et al. Is glaucoma suitable for community screening? [J]. Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 36(4): 294-298, 2018.
4. Glaucoma Group, Ophthalmology Branch, Chinese Medical Association. Chinese Expert Consensus on the Use of Fixed Dose Combination Antiglaucoma Medications (2019) [J]. Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology 55(8): 569-571, 2019.
5. Glaucoma Group of Ophthalmology Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Glaucoma Group of Chinese Ophthalmologist Association. Chinese expert consensus on the use of fixed-combination antiglaucoma medications [J]. Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology 61(00): 1-6, 2025.

About Santen
As a specialized company dedicated to eye health, Santen aspires to contribute to the realization of “Happiness with Vision” by providing products and services to patients, consumers, and medical professionals around the world. Since its establishment, and guided by its CORE PRINCIPLE, “Tenki ni sanyo suru,” Santen has been committed to helping people maintain and improve their eye health for more than 130 years. Santen is engaged in the global research and development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing of pharmaceutical products in the field of eye care, supporting the eye health of approximately 50 million people in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide. Santen’s mission is to provide essential and significant value to patients and society in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of eye diseases through products and services created from its expertise in the ophthalmology field and from the patient's perspective. To create a future in which as many patients as possible can lead happy and fulfilling lives, Santen is committed to doing its utmost to realize a society in which people around the world can experience “Happiness with Vision.”
For more information, please visit Santen’s website https://www.santen.com/en.

Contact
Corporate Communications
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
E-mail: communication@santen.com