Novartis agrees deal to in-license ophthalmic medication ECF843

Novartis has agreed a deal that will give the company access to ECF843, a promising new ophthalmic medicine developed by Lubris.

The firm has exercised its option to in-license ECF843 for ophthalmic indications worldwide, excluding Europe. This recombinant human lubricin protein therapy has been created to deliver instant relief of dry eye symptoms.

In a small phase II clinical study, ECF843 demonstrated the potential to provide immediate improvement of symptoms by increasing lubrication across various eye and tear surfaces, as well as offering improvements in signs of dry eye within 28 days.

It provides a new therapeutic approach and a potential first-in-class prescription treatment for dry eye, a condition that affects more than 344 million patients globally.

Vasant Narasimhan, global head of drug development and chief medical officer at Novartis, said: "Exercising our option to in-license ECF843, along with our recent acquisition of Encore Medical for the treatment of presbyopia, underscores our commitment to treating diseases of the front of the eye which impact millions of people worldwide."

The company already offers a global portfolio of artificial tear products, including Systane, Tears Naturale and Genteal.

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