SIFI and Polpharma announce cross-licensing deal in ophthalmology

SIFI, Italian leader in the development and marketing of ophthalmic therapies, and Polpharma, the leader in the Polish pharmaceutical market, announce a commercial strategic partnership, mainly across Europe. The agreement will permit to enhance product portfolios andprovide a more comprehensive therapeutic range of ophthalmic therapies to the international market.

Mutually identified areas of collaboration were established and will accelerate growth in the key therapeutic areas of Glaucoma and Dry Eye.

Glaucomais the second leading cause of blindness and a significant cause of visual impairment, affecting more than 60 million people worldwide. It is an insidious disease, as it is often diagnosed only when changes in vision have already reached an advanced stage. Approximately 50% of subjects are unaware that they have glaucoma. However, if diagnosed early and treated appropriately, it can be controlled effectively.

Dry eye diseaseis one of the most frequent causes of patient visits to eye care practitioners, and has become a global unmet need, afflicting over 30 million people in the United States alone and at least 344 million people worldwide. Dry eye syndrome is growing also among children and adolescents, and the World Health Organization has recently defined it as one of the most ignored and undervalued pathologies of the modern age.

The first stage of cooperation concerns 2 glaucoma products licensed in by SIFI from Polpharma and 3 dry eye medical devices licensed in by Polpharma from SIFI.

“The cross-licensing partnership forged with Polpharma is a clear step forward in our business development strategy” said Fabrizio Chines, SIFI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer “By swapping commercial rights to late stage assets in different geographies, SIFI will be in a position to accelerate its international growth, bringing a more comprehensive product range faster to ophthalmologists and patients in key markets.”

“Thanks to the important partnership with SIFI Polpharma will expand its current ophthalmic portfolio with new specialty products which are unique on the Polish market. Their effectiveness has been proven in clinical trials. It is very positive news for patients suffering from dry eye disease and a great beginning of our cooperation with SIFI which – we hope – will cover also other areas in the future – emphasized Markus Sieger, CEO of Polpharma Group.

SIFI

SIFI is the leading Italian ophthalmic company, focused on eye care since 1935. SIFI designs, manufactures and markets innovative pharmaceutical specialty products, nutraceuticals, surgical and medical devices. Headquartered in Catania, Sicily, SIFI operates directly in Italy, France, Spain, Romania and Mexico with a staff of more than 370 people worldwide. Since June 2015, SIFI is backed by the private equity 21 Investimenti to support the company’s international expansion and portfolio development strategy. More information available at www.sifigroup.com.

POLPHARMA

Polpharma Group is the leader of Polish pharmaceutical market and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in CEE and CIS. Its wide portfolio of 700 products (Rx, OTC and hospital) covers all important therapeutic categories, with the focus on cardiology, neurology, gastrology and ophthalmology. It actively invests in advanced, difficult to make technologies in generics and new digital healthcare solutions. Polpharma Group is also the largest Polish investor in biotechnology – it has built strong competencies in development and manufacturing of biologics, with an attractive pipeline of 6 biosimilars. More information available at www.polpharma.pl