Novagali Pharma Announces FDA Clearance of IND for Phase III of Catioprost(R), its Cationic Emulsion of Latanoprost in Patients With Glaucoma

EVRY, France - Novagali Pharma, a French pharmaceutical ophthalmic company, announces today that the Company’s Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to conduct a Phase III clinical trial of Catioprost(R) (Nova21027), for the treatment of glaucoma has been granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Catioprost(R) is a topical ocular proprietary BAK-free formulation of latanoprost which furthermore benefits from the ocular surface protection properties of Novasorb(R), its patented technology based on cationic emulsion.

Novasorb(R) properties have already been clinically validated through Cationorm(R) a marketed product for dry eye symptoms relief and Cyclokat(R), a pharmaceutical product in phase III for the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. It is estimated that more than 65 million people worldwide suffer from glaucoma, 4 million of whom in the US.

For these patients treated on a long term basis, toxicity of preservatives is a major concern. In fact the prevalence of ocular surface disease in glaucoma patients is estimated to be ranging from 30 to 70% depending on definition and severity. Coexistence of glaucoma and ocular surface disorder may impact vision related quality of life.

Catioprost(R) is a topical ocular BAK-free emulsion of latanoprost that present a safer profile than BAK-containing marketed products for glaucoma. This is a major advantage since it is admitted that BAK exerts toxicity after long term use and that glaucoma is a chronic disease needing life-long daily treatment. Furthermore, the stability product profile allows storage at room temperature.

The FDA agreed that Novagali may proceed with a pivotal Phase III clinical trial in the United States with Catioprost(R) in patients with glaucoma aiming to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of the product.

“With this fourth pharmaceutical product entering in clinical development, Novagali completes its late stage product pipeline” said Jerome Martinez, president and CEO of Novagali Pharma. “We expect Catioprost(R) to bring significant safety and comfort improvement for glaucoma patients, especially for those suffering from ocular surface diseases.”

About Novagali Pharma : www.novagali.com

Novagali Pharma is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes innovative products. Thanks to its proprietary technology platforms Novasorb(R) and Eyeject(R), the company has developed innovative products addressing main ocular conditions as well as orphan diseases. Most advanced products include Vekacia(R), for treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis, Cyclokat(R), for the treatment of moderate-to-severe dry eye syndrome and Cortiject(R) for the treatment of diabetic retinopathies. Cationorm(R), indicated for dry eye symptoms is commercialized in France since April 2008. Founded in 2000, Novagali Pharma is based in the Genopole biocluster in Evry (France).

In 2009, Frost & Sullivan recognized Novagali with the North American Award for Industry Innovation & Advancement of the Year, for its two proprietary emulsion technology platforms, Novasorb(R) and Eyeject(R).

Source: Novagali Pharma

Contact: Genevieve Garrigos, VP RH & Communication, +33-6-65-54-60-19