NicOx gains new partner on glaucoma program

France's NicOx is pocketing a $10 million upfront from Bausch & Lomb to develop and market its glaucoma eye therapy NCX 116. And it stands to earn another $169.5 million in milestones in the deal. NicOx bought back the rights to the drug from Pfizer last August. "Good news which gives credibility to nitric oxide donating compounds after Pfizer's halting of development," noted CM-CIC Securities analyst Arsene Guekam. "The main short-term catalyst (for NicOx shares) remains FDA approval of naproxcinod and the signing of a partnership for its marketing in the United States." Report