Lilly and Alcon enter co-promotion deal

Arxxant (ruboxistaurin mesylate) is an investigational oral drug for the treatment of moderate to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a diabetic eye disease. The co-promotion agreement is subject to FDA approval of Arxxant, which is currently under regulatory review.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alcon will have primary responsibility for promotion to eye specialists, including retinal specialists and general ophthalmologists, while Lilly will have primary responsibility for promotion to endocrinologists and primary care physicians.

If Arxxant is approved by the FDA, Alcon will make milestone and marketing payments to Lilly and Alcon will be compensated based on product sales.

“With this collaboration, we gain a highly reputable and experienced partner in the eye care market. Alcon will lead the promotional efforts to the eye care community, increasing awareness of the benefits that Arxxant could provide if approved as the first oral medication to reduce the risk of vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy,” said Khoso Baluch, vice president, US diabetes business unit, for Lilly.