Sirion makes a deal and starts trial

Sirion Therapeutics has made an exclusive licensing agreement with the French company, Laboratoires Thea, for the rights to develop and market a topical, anti–viral, ophthalmic gel (Virgan) in the US.

The gel, which contains ganciclovir, is indicated for the treatment of certain viral and superficial eye infections. Under the terms of the agreement, Sirion will have the rights to manufacture, sell and distribute ganciclovir gel for ophthalmic use throughout the US and all US territories.

Sirion Therapeutics has also begun the enrolment of two Phase III clinical trials to evaluate ST–601 as a treatment for inflammation following ocular surgery.

ST–601 (difluprednate) was acquired last year through an exclusive licensing agreement with Senju Pharmaceutical of Japan and gave Sirion the US rights to develop and market a topical ophthalmic emulsion containing the steroid compound difluprednate.