Under terms of the agreement, Santen receives rights to develop and commercialize sirolimus for ocular diseases and conditions in Japan and Asia. MacuSight retains development and commercialization rights to sirolimus in all other markets.
While specific financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed, Santen has agreed to provide MacuSight with an initial upfront payment of $50 million dollars for funding MacuSight’s continuing research and development efforts, as well as clinical development of sirolimus. Additionally, Santen will provide MacuSight with milestone payments and a royalty on future sirolimus sales in the Japanese and Asian markets.
Sirolimus, originally known as rapamycin, is a highly-potent, broad-acting compound that has demonstrated the ability to combat a broad range of diseases and conditions. MacuSight is presently initiating a Phase II clinical trial of sirolimus in diabetic macular edema and preparing to initiate a Phase II study in wet age related macular degeneration in the second half of 2008.