Altacor adds nutritional AMD preventative to portfolio
Cambridge UK, 21st April 2011
Altacor has concluded an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Ophthalmopharma for the Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) nutritional product EYEBAR®. This is the second in a series of transactions between Altacor and Ophthalmopharma in which Altacor will assume responsibility for the entire portfolio of ophthalmic products covering development, IP and commercialisation of the products.
EYEBAR ® is a chocolate based nutraceutical which overcomes the palatability problems associated with traditional products for prevention of AMD. Easy and pleasant to eat each day, the antioxidant rich bar, based on a vitamin and mineral mixture (AREDS like), has been developed to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Unlike large capsules or tablets EYEBAR ® is taste masked and palatable, even for elderly patients with swallowing difficulties. This feature of the product is expected to improve compliance and thereby effectiveness.
Dr Fran Crawford, CEO of Altacor commented that EYEBAR® is a very interesting approach for patients to mitigate an important and increasingly prevalent condition. The total population of patients with AMD, who can experience serious visual loss, numbers over 15m in the USA. In addition, up to 15% of patients have difficulties taking oral medications. This product adds a new dimension to Altacor’s portfolio and has good potential to build revenues more rapidly and furthers our progress towards becoming a European Specialty Pharma company.
Dr. Patrik Frei, Chairman of Ophthalmopharma said “I believe that EYEBAR is an important addition to Altacors’ pipeline and I am confident that this will deliver value to both Ophthalmopharma and Altacor.”
For further details contact:
Francesca E Crawford (CEO)
(+44) (0)1223 421411
About Altacor Altacor is an ophthalmic specialty pharmaceutical company with marketed products and a diverse development pipeline. The products are focused in the following sub therapeutic areas: ocular surface disease, ocular anti-infection and glaucoma. The company differentiates products through, for example, formulation or reprofiling. ALT 005 (surgical) and ALT 020 (ocular anti-infection), ALT 022 glaucoma and ALT 401 for prevention of scarring in glaucoma surgery are examples. Altacor has five products marketed in the UK and Ireland (Clinitas and Clinitas range) which are commercialised through its own sales and marketing organisation and network. Clinitas and Clinitas GEL are prescription products, the former is for moderate dry eye conditions and has a uniquely high concentration of hyaluronic acid (0.4%) in the UK, it is gaining acceptance by clinicians nationwide. The OTC Clinitas range comprises Clinitas Hydrate, Clinitas Soothe and Clinitas Ultra 3 which together address the major causes of dry eye.