OliX Pharmaceuticals said Monday it has signed a license and collaboration agreement with Théa Open Innovation, a part of Laboratoires Théa S.A.S, for OLX301A, a novel treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

OliX Pharmaceuticals CEO Lee Dong-ki (right) and Laboratoires Théa S.A.S President Jean-Frederic Chibret shake hands after signing the license and collaboration agreement at Laboratoires Théa S.A.S headquarters in France, Saturday.

AMD, diagnosed as either dry or wet, is a symptom where the retina and deeper layers of the eye deteriorate, which can lead to a loss of eyesight. While effective therapies for wet AMD exist, the treatment burden may result in less than optimal vision outcomes for many patients over time. Also, there is no cure for dry AMD now.

OliX’s OLX301A program is a first in class treatment which cures both wet and dry AMD. The company expects to apply for an investigational new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the second half of this year.

Under the agreement, OliX will receive a non-refundable and non-creditable upfront payment of 2 million euro and is eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of clinical milestones, plus royalties for the development and commercialization.

Also, Théa will hold licensing rights for OLX301A programs in EU countries, Middle East and Africa, while OliX will continue to keep the rights of OLX301A program for U.S. and Asia.

“OliX’s cell-penetrating asymmetry siRNA platform technology is an RNAi platform optimal for the development of ocular therapeutics, which can circumvent potential side effects arising from the existing siRNA technology,” OliX CEO Lee Dong-ki said. “The collaboration with Théa proves that OliX’s ophthalmology RNAi platform has been recognized in the global pharmaceutical market.”

Théa Group Chairman Jean-Frédéric Chibret, also said, “This program aims to enlarge Théa’s ophthalmology development portfolio in retinal vascular pathologies. Thanks to the partnership with OliX, patients will be offered a new alternative to treat posterior segment eye diseases, in addition to the current existing medications.”

The company will continue to expand pipelines for eye diseases, Lee added. ​​​​​

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