Nicox S.A. is a French ophthalmology company developing treatments to maintain vision and improve ocular health.[1] Nicox is headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, and its Chairman and CEO is Michele Garufi.[2][3]
Nicox is listed on Euronext Paris[4] (Compartment B: Mid-Caps; Ticker symbol: COX) and is part of the CAC Healthcare, CAC Pharma & Bio and Next 150 indexes. Its pipeline includes three programs in development, and it has two U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved products.[5]
Pipeline
Nicox's lead program in clinical development is NCX 470, a novel, second-generation nitric oxide-donating bimatoprost analog, for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma.[6] NCX 470 is designed to release both bimatoprost, which is marketed under the brand name LUMIGAN, and nitric oxide following instillation into the eye. Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analog, the most widely used class of drugs for IOP lowering in patients with open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.[7][8]
The company is also developing NCX 4251, a proprietary formulation of fluticasone, for acute exacerbations of blepharitis.[9] Nicox generates revenue from VYZULTA(R) in glaucoma and ZERVIATE(TM), or cetirizine ophthalmic solution, in allergic conjunctivitis. It has ongoing partnerships with Bausch & Lomb, Eyevance Pharmaceuticals and Ocumension Therapeutics.[10][11]
Agreement with Ocumension
In 2019, Nicox and Ocumension Therapeutics signed an agreement to allow Ocumension the rights to develop and commercialize Zerviate, a cetirizine ophthalmic solution, for the Chinese and South East Asian markets. The deal would see Nicox eligible for up to $17.2 million, along with tiered royalties of between 5 and 9% of the net sales. In July 2021 the deal was amended and Ocumension paid $2 million to Nicox as an advance payment of future development and regulatory milestones.[12]
