Success of NicOx glaucoma candidates welcome news for Pfizer

Nitric oxide-donating derivatives of latanoprost for the treatment of glaucoma have been shown to successfully lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in preclinical studies.

The compounds, which are the result of a collaboration between NicOx and Pfizer in 2004, brought about a greater IOP lowering effect than latanoprost in two validated experimental models of raised IOP. In one of these models, a single topical 0.1% dose of latanoprost resulted in an 18% reduction of IOP compared with a 30% reduction achieved with an equimolar dose of the alternative compound.

The two companies have since signed a second agreement which grants Pfizer exclusive rights to apply NicOx' proprietary nitric oxide-donating technology across the field of ophthalmology.