NicOx to reacquire from Pfizer rights to experimental glaucoma drug

Sophia Antipolis, France-NicOx announced an agreement to reacquire the development and commercialization rights to an experimental glaucoma medicine from partner company Pfizer.

The drug, PF-03187207, has completed phase II studies in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

David Rosen, head of out-licensing, Pfizer, said that the two companies “have enjoyed a very good relationship throughout this collaboration, and we look forward to supporting NicOx during the transition period” before the rights are returned. He added that the agreement shows Pfizer’s commitment to allow partners to reacquire research and development programs “that are no longer core to our strategy but could become important medicines.”

Gavin Spencer, vice president of business development at NicOx, said PF-03187207 “has good potential to be registered for glaucoma and ocular hypertension and could represent an important new treatment option.” The company is now looking at possible third-party partnerships to help advance the drug into phase III.

Under the terms of the deal, Pfizer will receive two undisclosed milestone payments, dependent on future approvals and subsequent sales, plus royalties. NicOx also gets access to latanoprost (Xalatan, Pfizer) data and regains the rights to a number of research-stage, nitric oxide-donating compounds for the potential treatment of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.