Sirion, Bridge Pharma enter license agreement for potential ocular anti-inflammatory drug

TAMPA, Fla. — Sirion Therapeutics has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Bridge Pharma for the rights to develop and market topical ophthalmic formulations containing Bridge Pharma's proprietary drug norketotifen, according to a press release from Sirion.

Norketotifen is an anti-inflammatory agent with antihistaminic properties that may be effective for treating a variety of ocular conditions, according to the release.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sirion will retain the rights to manufacture, sell and distribute norketotifen for ocular applications either alone or in combination with other drugs.

Sirion plans to commence clinical trials of the new formulation of norketotifen in early 2009, the release said.