NicOx reacquires rights to experimental glaucoma treatment

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France — NicOx has signed an agreement with Pfizer to reacquire all development and commercialization rights to a nitric oxide-donating prostaglandin F2-alpha analog for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension, NicOx announced in a press release.

The drug, called PF-03187207, has demonstrated safety and IOP-lowering efficacy in two phase 2 studies in the United States and Japan among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, the release said.

Under the terms of the agreement, NicOx will also reacquire the current data-package and development information for the drug and will be granted access to specific proprietary Xalatan (latanoprost 0.005%, Pfizer) development information and regulatory filings that could be useful for the development and possible regulatory approvals of PF-03187207. Also under the agreement, NicOx will reclaim rights to a number of novel nitric oxide-donating compounds that have shown potential for treating diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

In addition to royalties on future sales, NicOx has agreed to pay Pfizer two undisclosed milestones based on drug approvals in the U.S., Europe and Japan, as well as on the accomplishment of certain predefined sales objectives. Pfizer has also agreed to give temporary technical support to any further clinical program for the drug, according to the release.

This new agreement effectively concludes NicOx's 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.

"We will evaluate opportunities for advancing PF-03187207 into phase 3, including possible third-party partnerships," Gavin Spencer, vice president of business development for NicOx, said in the release. "We maintain an excellent relationship with Pfizer and understand its decision to conclude our previous agreements."