Nicox Initiates Phase 2 Trial of NCX 4251 in Blepharitis

Nicox SA recently announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating NCX 4251, its novel patented ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals, being developed as the first targeted topical treatment of the eyelid margin for patients with acute exacerbations of blepharitis. Nicox expects to report top-line results from this Phase 2 trial in the fourth quarter of 2019.

This Phase 2 multi-center, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation, 14-day trial aims to evaluate the safety and tolerability of NCX 4251 compared to placebo in patients with acute exacerbations of blepharitis. The trial is expected to randomize approximately 30 patients in clinical sites across the US. The primary objective of this clinical trial is to select the dose(s) of NCX 4251 to advance into the next stage of development, which will be a larger Phase 2b clinical trial.

Tomas Navratil, PhD, Executive Vice President, Head of Development of Nicox, said “There is no product approved in the US solely for the treatment of blepharitis.  We believe that the combination of a potent corticosteroid in our novel nanocrystal suspension together with application directly to the site of inflammation, where the disease originates, could lead to an efficacious and better tolerated product for the treatment of blepharitis.”

Michele Garufi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nicox, added “Starting this second clinical program for the company, following the initiation of the NCX 470 clinical trial for the reduction of intraocular pressure in August last year, is a great achievement for our development team.  With two commercial assets, two mid-stage clinical assets, and two innovative research projects we are continuing to deliver on building a unique, fully-integrated company in the ophthalmology space.”

This Phase 2 trial was initiated following the US FDA acceptance of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application submitted in December 2018, ahead of the previously disclosed target date of the first quarter of 2019.

NCX 4251 is a novel patented ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals that is being developed as the first targeted topical treatment of the eyelid margin for patients with acute exacerbations of blepharitis. Blepharitis is a common eye condition characterized by eyelid inflammation. It is being developed for application via a swab at the eyelid margin, applied directly to the site of inflammation thereby minimizing potential penetration of the drug through the cornea which can lead to the damaging side effects, such as intraocular pressure (IOP) increase, found with current topical steroids.

Fluticasone propionate, the active ingredient in NCX 4251, which has not previously been approved in a topical formulation for use in ophthalmology, has an affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor, which is approximately 10 times greater than dexamethasone, a corticosteroid commonly used in ophthalmology.  Fluticasone is a glucocorticoid with potent anti-inflammatory properties that has been approved in numerous drug products over the past 20 years for the treatment of various indications including dermatology, rhinitis and asthma.

Blepharitis is a condition in which the margins of the eyelids become red and swollen and may contain dandruff like matter. Of patients seen by ophthalmologists and optometrists, 37% and 47%, respectively, present with signs of the disease.

There is currently no US FDA-approved prescription product solely indicated for blepharitis. Annual US sales for products prescribed for blepharitis total more than $500 million according to IQVIA Health Analytics. Surveys reveal that ophthalmologists consider anti-inflammatory activity to be the most important product attribute when selecting a treatment for blepharitis, which supports the rationale for the development of NCX 4251.

Nicox S.A. is an international ophthalmology company developing innovative solutions to help maintain vision and improve ocular health. By leveraging our proprietary expertise in nitric oxide (NO) donation and other technologies, we are developing an extensive portfolio of novel product candidates that target multiple ophthalmic conditions, including glaucoma. Our portfolio includes three programs in development including NCX 470 for intraocular pressure lowering, based on our proprietary NO-donating research platform and NCX 4251, a proprietary formulation of the well-established molecule fluticasone, for acute exacerbations of blepharitis. Our research activities are focused on novel future generation NO-donors including NO-donating phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors and NO-donating soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators (in partnership with Ironwood). In addition, we have two ophthalmology assets that have been approved by the US FDA; VYZULTA (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024%, exclusively licensed worldwide to Bausch + Lomb, a Bausch Health Companies Inc. company, and commercialized in the U.S. by Bausch + Lomb since December 2017, as well as ZERVIATE (cetirizine ophthalmic solution), 0.24%, exclusively licensed in the US to Eyevance Pharmaceuticals, LLC.  Nicox is headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment B: Mid Caps; Ticker symbol: COX) and is part of the CAC Healthcare, CAC Pharma & Bio and Next 150 indexes. For more information on Nicox, its products or pipeline, visit www.nicox.com.