Novartis said Thursday it has exercised an option to in-license ECF843 for ophthalmic indications worldwide excepot of Europe, without revealing financial and other terms of this transaction.
ECF843 is a recombinant human lubricin (rh-Lubricin) protein, developed by Lubris LLC, Boston, USA. In a small phase II clinical study, ECF843 demonstrated the potential to provide immediate improvement of symptoms likely by increasing lubrication across various eye and tear surfaces.
“ECF843 has the potential to be the first therapeutic to provide rapid relief of dry eye symptoms and significantly improve signs,” said Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis.