FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.—Ocuphire Pharma has concluded an exclusive license agreement with FamyGen Life Sciences (Famy) for the development and commercialization of Nyxol across three indications in the U.S., Europe, Japan, India, China and other global markets. In connection with its separately announced transaction with Famy, Viatris, a leading global health care company, has agreed to commercialize Nyxol following each regulatory approval. “Famy and Ocuphire have been engaging for several months, in a collaborative spirit, to conclude this agreement. This partnership provides a clear pathway to completing development and regulatory activities and executing a successful U.S. and global commercial launch of Nyxol through Viatris,” said Mina Sooch, MBA, founder and CEO of Ocuphire.

“With its strategic commitment to ophthalmics and its global commercial infrastructure, we believe Viatris provides a great opportunity for all of the Nyxol indications to realize their full commercial potential in their respective markets. In addition, the upfront payment and development funding provided by this transaction markedly improve our cash position into 2025, allowing us to expedite the registration trials for presbyopia and night vision disturbances and to execute our late-stage development strategy for the APX3330 retina program,” Sooch said.

Under the terms of the license agreement, Ocuphire will receive an upfront cash payment of $35 million. Famy will fund Nyxol development through FDA approvals that will be managed by Ocuphire, including clinical, manufacturing, and regulatory activities required for FDA approval of all three Nyxol indications, including Nyxol+low-dose pilocarpine.

With the upcoming NDA submission for the reversal of mydriasis indication this quarter, Ocuphire has the potential to receive a $10 million milestone payment upon FDA approval later in 2023 and thereafter to receive additional regulatory milestones for presbyopia and night vision disturbances indications. In addition to funding Ocuphire’s development of Nyxol in the U.S., Famy will undertake development in the non-U.S. markets.

Upon commercialization, Ocuphire will receive tiered double-digit royalties on worldwide net sales through 2040 and is eligible to receive sales milestone payments upon achievement of certain annual sales thresholds.