Formosa Pharma and Cristalia Ink Pact To Treat Inflammation and Pain

Formosa Pharmaceuticals (Formosa) of Taiwan has announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Cristália Produtos Qumicos Farmacêuticos Ltda (Cristália) for exclusive Brazilian rights to the commercialization of APP13007 (clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanosuspension, 0.05 percent) for the treatment of pain and inflammation following ocular surgery. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently looking into APP13007, which has been given a March 4, 2024 Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date. Sales royalties, development milestones, and an upfront payment are all part of the licensing deal, as are additional considerations for the duration of the agreement.

APP13007’s active ingredient is the superpotent corticosteroid, clobetasol propionate, and is derived from Formosa Pharma’s proprietary APNT nanoparticle formulation platform.  The novel formulation enables a convenient and straightforward dosing regimen (twice daily for 14 days) while providing rapid and sustained relief of inflammation and pain, which in phase 3 clinical trials proved statistically and clinically superior to its matching placebo (p<0.001).  If approved, APP13007 will join in a potential and growing pharma market in Brazil for topical ophthalmic steroids, as per pharmabiz.

“We are honoured to establish this partnership with Cristália, with its storied history in Brazilian pharmaceuticals and expertise in eye health.  Given their dedication to bringing innovation to the market, we are confident APP13007 will reach its potential in providing ophthalmologists and patients a powerful option in recovering from ocular surgery,” said Erick Co, president and CEO of Formosa Pharmaceuticals.

Ricardo S. Pacheco, chairman of Cristália stated: “We are pleased to have entered into this agreement with our development partner, Formosa Pharmaceuticals. If approved, APP13007 will be an attractive new treatment option to ophthalmic surgeons and their patients in Latin America with a convenient posology. Once is approved, Cristália will go full steam ahead with commercialization.”