This Month in Business
Luxturna marketing rights, bionic vision systems, and preservative-free formulations
- Novartis and Spark Therapeutics have entered a licensing agreement for Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec) in markets outside of the United States. Luxturna received FDA approval on December 19, 2017 for the treatment of patients with biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene. A market authorization application was filed with the EMA on July 31, 2017, and, following approval, Novartis will obtain all commercialization rights. According to the press release, Novartis will make an upfront payment, as well as pay milestones and royalties to Spark Therapeutics reflective of the late stage of the opportunity.
- Novartis and Spark Therapeutics have entered a licensing agreement for Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec) in markets outside of the United States. Luxturna received FDA approval on December 19, 2017 for the treatment of patients with biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene. A market authorization application was filed with the EMA on July 31, 2017, and, following approval, Novartis will obtain all commercialization rights. According to the press release, Novartis will make an upfront payment, as well as pay milestones and royalties to Spark Therapeutics reflective of the late stage of the opportunity.
- Pixium Vision has completed the first successful activation of its PRIMA bionic vision system in a human. PRIMA – a new generation miniaturized wireless photovoltaic sub-retinal implant – was implanted in a patient with severe vision loss from atrophic dry AMD, and elicited visual perception. As part of their ongoing study, the company plans to install PRIMA systems in up to five patients.
- Adverum Biotechnologies and Editas Medicine have announced that they will be extending their research collaboration until Q3 2018. The two companies have been focusing on the delivery of AAV and CRISPR-based therapies for the treatment of up to five inherited retinal diseases.
- Imprimis Pharmaceuticals has announced that it will be dispensing preservative-free compounded dorzolamide and dorzolamide/timolol across the US, in response to the commercial products, Cosopt and Cosopt PF, being added to the FDA Drug Shortage List.
- Santen’s preservative-free formulations, Saflutan and Taptiqom, will be expanded into wider markets based on an expanded partnership with Mundipharma. As part of the deal, Mundipharma extends its existing license for Saflutan to add approximately 50 markets across the Middle East and Africa, and adds Taptiqom to its portfolio for Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
