Shares in France’s Nicox have soared on positive late-stage data for its glaucoma drug Vesneo, partnered with Valeant’s Bausch + Lomb.
The firms have published top-line results from the pivotal Phase 3 studies conducted with Vesneo (latanoprostene bunod) for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The drug is a nitric oxide-donating prostaglandin F2-alpha analog licensed by Nicox to Bausch + Lomb.
Nicox has been building up quite a presence in the ophthalmology area of late and last week acquired the Carragelose (iota-carrageenan) anti-viral eye drop programme from Austria’s Marinomed. It is paying up to 5.3 million euros, split between cash and stock.
The Sophia Antipolis-based company also bought French ophthalmic specialist Doliage last week for 5 million euros in newly-issued shares. In October, Nicox shareholders will vote on the proposed acquisition of US eye specialist Aciex Therapeutics.
Bausch + Lomb expects to submit Vesneo to the US Food and Drug Administration in mid-2015 and Nicox says it will exercise an option to co-promote across the pond.
