Oxford BioMedica, Sanofi deal
The companies amended an April 2009 deal to grant Sanofi broadened worldwide rights to StarGen and UshStat for all ocular disease indications in exchange for the return to Oxford of all worldwide rights to EncorStat. Under the amendment, Oxford BioMedica said it is eligible for development and commercialization milestones, plus royalties, for StarGen and UshStat under the same undisclosed terms. The companies expect that management of ongoing clinical trials for the two products will be handed over to Sanofi this half. The pharma declined to comment on the amendment.
Under the original deal, Sanofi had an exclusive option for a worldwide license to develop and commercialize four preclinical compounds to treat ocular diseases, including StarGen, UshStat, EncorStat and RetinoStat. Oxford BioMedica was responsible for preclinical development and initial Phase I/II testing, after which Sanofi could exercise its option. Sanofi exercised its option for UshStat to treat Usher syndrome type 1B and StarGen to treat Stargardt disease in July 2012, and retains its option to license RetinoStat (see BioCentury, May 4, 2009 & July 9, 2012). ...