Nicox's US Ophthalmic Diagnostics Subsidiary Bought for $20 Million

Nicox S.A. recently announced that Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. has acquired Nicox’s US diagnostics subsidiary Nicox Inc., in a deal worth up to $20 million. Nicox intends to concentrate its commercial and development resources on ophthalmic therapeutics as part of its strategy to build an international ophthalmic company in Europe and in the US. The decision reflects the significant opportunities available to Nicox in light of the recent acquisition of Aciex and positive Phase III results for VESNEO.

Under the terms of the transaction, Valeant has acquired most of the Nicox commercial infrastructure in the US associated with diagnostics, while Nicox has retained a number of US-based employees focused on therapeutics.

“We are very proud to have created an emerging and innovative ophthalmic diagnostics business in less than 2 years on the US market, and to have attracted a prestigious company such as Valeant to build on the momentum that has been created,” said Michele Garufi, CEO of Nicox. “The decision to focus on therapeutics is due to several recent and short-to-mid-term opportunities under advanced discussions. This strategic move with our long-standing partner Valeant will enable us to leverage resources for our growing pipeline of advanced drug-candidates.”

Nicox has completed four acquisitions in the last 12 months in the ophthalmic space, including well-established businesses in France and Italy and the recently completed acquisition of Aciex, a private, US-based, ophthalmic pharmaceutical development company with a strong near-term pipeline of therapeutics addressing major segments of the ophthalmic market. The first product from this pipeline, AC-170 for allergic conjunctivitis, is expected to be launched in the US in 2016, pending FDA approval. Nicox is planning to pursue its efforts to secure commercial rights to further therapeutic products both for the European and for the US markets, through additional in licensing and acquisition agreements.

In addition, the glaucoma candidate VESNEO (latanoprostene bunod), invented using Nicox’s proprietary nitric oxide (NO)-donating R&D platform and in development under license by the Valeant division Bausch + Lomb, is also expected to be launched in 2016, pending FDA approval, with potential peak global sales estimated by Valeant at over $1 billion. Valeant and Nicox recently announced positive Phase III results for this compound.

Nicox has established a commercial ophthalmic organisation in the 5 largest European markets (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain).

Under the terms of the agreement, Valeant has acquired Nicox Inc. for $10 million in cash, plus further cash payments of up to $10 million based upon Valeant achieving certain sales targets with the transferred products. The transaction is effective immediately. Nicox’s operations outside the US and its recent acquisition of Aciex are not affected by this transaction. Nicox is retaining a number of US-based commercial and development staff to pursue the specialty therapeutics strategy. Those employees retained by Nicox have transferred to Nicox’s new US subsidiary Aciex Therapeutics, Inc., which was acquired in October 2014.

In June 2014, Nicox Inc. rolled-out Sjö, an advanced diagnostic panel for the early detection of Sjögren’s syndrome, throughout the US, following its launch in selected US markets in November 2013. Nicox Inc. has rights to promote Sjö to all healthcare practitioners in North America as per an agreement signed in June 2013 with Immco Diagnostics Inc., which was extended in July 2014.
In June 2014, Nicox Inc. also launched expanded access to the RetnaGene portfolio of tests to assess the risk for advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Nicox Inc. has rights to promote the RetnaGene portfolio to eye care practitioners in North America as per an agreement signed in January 2014 with Sequenom Laboratories, an affiliate of Sequenom, Inc. For more information, visit www.nicox.com.