Formosa Pharmaceuticals announced on November 28 that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Medvisis Switzerland AG, granting Medvisis exclusive commercialization rights for APP13007 (clobetasol propionate ophthalmic suspension 0.05%) in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. APP13007, a novel drug for reducing inflammation and pain after ocular surgery, received FDA approval in March this year and was launched in the U.S. in September.
According to Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Medvisis is led by industry veterans from global pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis and GSK, maintaining close ties with Swiss regulatory authority Swissmedic. The agreement includes an upfront payment, sales milestone payments, and other consideration over the contract period.
APP13007 features clobetasol propionate, a potent corticosteroid, formulated using Formosa Pharmaceuticals’ proprietary APNT nanoparticle platform. This innovative formulation offers a simple dosing regimen—twice daily for 14 days—delivering rapid and sustained relief of inflammation and pain. A recent survey of 100 U.S.-based ophthalmic surgeons highlighted two key prescribing factors: rapid elimination of ocular pain (with approximately 80% of patients pain-free within four days post-surgery) and a low incidence of adverse events (less than 2%).
Medvisis' ophthalmic key opinion leaders (KOLs) have also expressed strong approval for APP13007's convenient dosing schedule and favorable safety profile. Switzerland performs over 100,000 cataract surgeries annually, with the local corticosteroid market exceeding $2.1 million. Given that competing treatments require 4–6 doses per day, APP13007's twice-daily regimen provides a significant competitive advantage.
Dr. Erick Co, CEO of Formosa Pharmaceuticals, stated:
"We are thrilled to partner with Medvisis, marking our second stronghold in Europe. Medvisis’ close relationships with national regulatory bodies and its extensive KOL network give us confidence that Swiss patients will benefit from this innovative and highly effective recovery therapy for ocular surgeries."
Manuel Ackermann, CEO of Medvisis Switzerland, added:
"We are excited to bring a new, superior treatment option to patients suffering from inflammation and pain after eye surgery. APP13007 offers significant value to Swiss patients and lays a solid foundation for Medvisis to build a robust portfolio of innovative ophthalmic solutions."
Resource: 台新藥與瑞士 Medvisis 簽授權合約 推眼科新藥瑞士上市
