NicOx reacquires rights to PF-03187207 for glaucoma from Pfizer
NicOx S.A. announced the signature of an agreement with Pfizer Inc to reacquire the full development and commercialization rights to PF-03187207, which has completed two phase 2 studies in patients with primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. As part of this agreement, Pfizer has granted NicOx the right to access and use certain proprietary Xalatan® (latanoprost) data.
“We are very pleased with this transaction with NicOx,” said David K. Rosen, Head of Out Licensing for Pfizer. “The two companies have enjoyed a very good relationship throughout this collaboration and we look forward to supporting NicOx during the transition period. This agreement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to out-license and to allow partner companies to reacquire R&D programs that are no longer core to our strategy but could become important medicines for patients and physicians.”
Gavin Spencer, Vice President of Business Development at NicOx, added: “We believe PF-03187207 has good potential to be registered for glaucoma and ocular hypertension and could represent an important new treatment option for the benefit of patients worldwide. We will evaluate opportunities for advancing PF-03187207 into phase 3, including possible third-party partnerships. We maintain an excellent relationship with Pfizer and understand its decision to conclude our previous agreements.”
Under the new agreement and following Pfizer’s announced strategic review process, NicOx is also regaining rights to a number of novel, research-stage, nitric oxide-donating compounds for the potential treatment of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. The compounds targeting diabetic retinopathy have produced positive results in a variety of models showing their potential benefit for the treatment of this prevalent eye disease, for which existing treatments are inadequate. The agreement announced today supersedes and concludes NicOx’ previous August 2004 and March 2006 agreements with Pfizer and follows the receipt of the last annual research funding of €3 million by NicOx in March 2008.
Under the terms of the new agreement with Pfizer, NicOx is reacquiring the full development and commercialization rights to PF-03187207 (including the right to sublicense), as well as the entire current data-package and development information. NicOx can also access and use certain proprietary Xalatan® development information and cross-refer to Xalatan® regulatory filings, which could be important for the potential future development and regulatory filing of PF03187207. Pfizer will also provide temporary technical support to help the transition to any further clinical program. In return, NicOx has agreed to pay Pfizer two undisclosed milestones (the first of which is linked to approval in the US, European Union and Japan, and the second on reaching predefined sales levels), in addition to royalties on future sales.
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