Lupin arm gets exclusive rights to presbyopia treatement drug in Europe

Lupin on Thursday, August 20, said its wholly-owned Netherlands-based subsidiary, VISUfarma BV, has entered an exclusive licensing agreement with US-based Visus Therapeutics Inc to commercialise YUVEZZI, an ophthalmic treatment for presbyopia in adults, across key European markets.

As per the agreement, VISUfarma will have exclusive rights to undertake regulatory activities, commercialisation, marketing, promotion, distribution and sale of YUVEZZI in the European Union, the UK, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, Lupin said in an exchange filing.

The agreement provides for potential consideration of up to €75 million through the first commercial sales of YUVEZZI in the licensed territories, according to the filing.

This comprises a €20 million strategic investment in Visus or its parent company through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) instrument and up to €55 million in regulatory and commercial milestone payments.

In addition, the agreement provides for royalty payments based on net sales and sales milestone payments upon achievement of specified sales thresholds in the licensed territories. The milestone payments are linked to regulatory submissions, approvals and other commercial milestones for YUVEZZI.

The licence will remain valid on a country-by-country basis until the 20th anniversary of the first commercial sale of YUVEZZI in the respective country, subject to earlier termination under the agreement. VISUfarma will have the option to renew the agreement for successive five-year periods after the initial term.

Lupin said the deal will strengthen its ophthalmology portfolio, expand its specialty business presence and create long-term growth opportunities in the presbyopia treatment market across the licensed territories.

“We are delighted to partner with Tenpoint Therapeutics to bring a novel ophthalmic therapy that advances our Specialty Care strategy,” Lupin CEO Vinita Gupta said.

She added that the partnership builds on Lupin’s strategic acquisition of VISUfarma, strengthens its vision-care franchise and expands its presence across key European markets.

About the drug, YUVEZZI

YUVEZZI, a once-daily dual-agent ophthalmic solution containing carbachol and brimonidine tartrate, is indicated for the treatment of presbyopia in adults. The product has received US Food and Drug Administration approval, while Tenpoint Therapeutics is pursuing its commercialisation in the US and regulatory applications in other markets.

Lupin shares were down 0.12% at ₹2,222.40 apiece at 1:34 pm on Thursday. The stock has declined 10.3% in the past month but is up 5.74% this year, so far.

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