MARKET WIRE
NicOx S.A. (Eurolist: COX) today announced the presentation of promising preclinical results from its August 2004 collaboration agreement with Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE), which is focused on the research and development of nitric oxide-donating derivatives of latanoprost for the treatment of glaucoma. The nitric oxide- donating compound was shown to have an improved ability to lower Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in validated preclinical models when compared to Pfizer's latanoprost, the leader in world wide glaucoma sales, with approximately $1.5 billion of franchise sales in 2006 (see NOTE). These preclinical results were presented on Saturday, February 10, at the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 8th Scientific Meeting in San Diego (United States).
Ennio Ongini, Vice President of Research at NicOx, commented: "We were very pleased to present these preclinical results together with Pfizer, which show that this class of nitric oxide-donating compounds can significantly reduce intraocular pressure over existing standards of care in animal models of glaucoma. This is important, as research suggests that the greater the pressure reduction you achieve, the slower a patient's disease will progress towards vision loss and blindness."
The results presented jointly by NicOx and Pfizer relate to a compound from a series of nitric oxide-donating derivatives of latanoprost that have been synthesized by the two companies. The compound brought about a greater IOP lowering than latanoprost in two different validated experimental models of raised IOP. For example, in one of the models, a single topical 0.1% dose of latanoprost resulted in an 18% maximal reduction of IOP compared to a 30% reduction achieved with an equimolar dose of the presented compound. Nitric oxide is believed to play a role in controlling IOP through specific mechanisms, including relaxation of the ciliary muscles and other structures which allow fluid to drain from the eye.
NicOx' research on nitric oxide-donating derivatives of latanoprost for the treatment of glaucoma is covered by the collaboration it entered into with Pfizer in August 2004. NicOx has previously announced that Pfizer anticipates filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first quarter of 2007, with a view to initiating clinical trials shortly thereafter.
In March 2006, NicOx and Pfizer signed a second, major agreement which granted Pfizer exclusive rights to apply NicOx' proprietary nitric oxide-donating technology across the entire field of ophthalmology.
NOTE: Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2á analogue, which is used to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with chronic glaucoma. This ophthalmic solution is believed to reduce IOP by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor, a liquid which permanently circulates in the eye. Latanoprost is a proprietary product of Pfizer Inc, which represents the most-prescribed glaucoma medicine in the world and achieved franchise sales of $1.453 million in 2006.
NicOx (Bloomberg: COX: FP, Reuters: NCOX.PA) is a product-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of nitric oxide-donating drugs to meet unmet medical needs. NicOx is targeting the therapeutic areas of pain and inflammation and cardio-metabolic disease. Resources are focused on two lead compounds, naproxcinod (formerly HCT 3012); in phase 3 development for the treatment of osteoarthritis, and NCX 4016, in phase 2 for type 2 diabetes.
NicOx has strategic partnerships with some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer Inc. and Merck and Co., Inc.
NicOx S.A. is headquartered in Sophia-Antipolis, France, and is a public company listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris (segment: Next Economy).