Nicox refocuses research activities; enters collaboration with Novaliq

French ophthalmics company Nicox (Euronext Paris: COX) says that it will be focusing its research activities on topical nitric oxide (NO)-donating phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators.

As part of this focus, Nicox has entered into a research collaboration with Germany-based Novaliq for the development of novel topical ophthalmic formulations of Nicox' NO-donating PDE5 inhibitors based on Novaliq's water-free enabling EyeSol technology, for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP).

In this collaboration, Novaliq is developing and characterizing novel formulations for lead series of the NO-donating PDE5 inhibitor new chemical entities using its EyeSol technology. If successful, Nicox will be testing the novel topical ophthalmic formulations of NO-donating PDE5 inhibitors for IOP lowering activity in established pre-clinical models. Newly-developed intellectual property from the collaboration will be jointly owned.