Nicox to acquire Aciex Therapeutics

Sophia Antipolis, France-Nicox recently announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire all outstanding equity of Aciex Therapeutics, Inc., an ophthalmic development pharmaceutical company based in the United States. 

Nicox says the acquisition will broaden the company’s therapeutic development pipeline, which will now include: 

• AC-170 for allergic conjunctivitis, which has completed two phase 3 trials and for which Nicox plans to seek a pre-NDA meeting before the submission of a New Drug Application

• AC-155, in development for post-operative inflammation and pain, which is expected to enter phase 2 studies in 2015

• A collaborative research agreement with Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for small molecule dual Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk)/Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors for potential topical ophthalmic treatments

• A portfolio of clinical and pre-clinical product candidates targeting areas such as ocular allergy, dry eye, and other inflammatory eye conditions

• A proprietary manufacturing process that can be used to repurpose existing drugs by producing novel, patentable nanocrystalline forms

According to Nicox, Aciex shareholders will received an upfront payment of $65 million in newly-issued Nicox shares, plus contingent value rights giving right to shares, for a potential additional value of up to $55 million.