Alcon signs two agreements to expand drug portfolio

Alcon has entered into a licensing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for global ophthalmic rights to cilomilast, a phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor. In addition to this new agreement, Alcon expanded its existing drug research alliance with Origenis with a focus on the discovery and development of the small molecules that might one day have a role in the treatment of eye diseases. Both agreements were signed by Alcon’s affiliate, Alcon Research.

Terms of the agreement with GSK include an upfront payment, with additional payments to GSK based on the achievement of developmental milestones and the receipt of ophthalmic product approvals incorporating cilomilast.

Royalties will be paid to GSK on the future sales of products incorporating the compound. GSK retains all rights to cilomilast for applications outside of ophthalmic indications and a right to co-promote cilomilast to some physicians for ophthalmic indications.

The terms of the agreement with Origenis provide that Alcon will retain the rights to any products for ophthalmic and nasal applications and Origenis will retain certain rights to all other uses of drug candidates discovered during the alliance. Alcon will make research payments to Origenis through a series of development milestones and royalties on sales.

Sabri Markabi, senior vice president of R&D and chief medical officer of Alcon, said: “We believe the cilomilast compound has potential for treating dry eye as well as other ophthalmic conditions. The expansion of our already successful arrangement with Origenis will also help Alcon add more early-stage compounds to our exploratory efforts.”