Formosa Pharmaceuticals, based in Taiwan, has successfully secured an exclusive licensing deal with Switzerland’s Medvisis Switzerland AG for the rights to market the innovative clobetasol propionate ophthalmic suspension, 0.05% (APP13007), in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This formulation is designed to treat post-operative inflammation and pain after ocular surgeries.
Medvisis is recognized for its strong connections within the pharmaceutical industry, boasting leadership with experience from major players like Novartis and GSK, and having established links with Swissmedic, Switzerland’s independent registration authority. Clobetasol propionate ophthalmic suspension, 0.05% (APP13007), which received FDA approval in March 2024, has already been made available in the US since September 2024. The terms of the licensing agreement involve an initial payment, sales-based milestones, and additional considerations during the contract’s tenure.
The active component of APP13007 is the highly potent corticosteroid, clobetasol propionate, made on Formosa Pharma’s unique APNT nanoparticle formulation platform. This creates a straightforward dosing protocol of twice daily for two weeks and offers effective and sustainable relief from inflammation and pain. U.S. surveys of 100 eye surgeons recently pointed out that the rapid alleviation of pain (approximately 80% pain-free four days post-op) and minimal adverse reactions (less than 2%) were pivotal reasons for prescribing APP13007. A survey led by Medvisis highlighted ophthalmologists’ appreciation for the treatment’s ease of use and excellent safety profile. With over 100,000 cataract operations annually in Switzerland, this market could see significant benefits from APP13007, especially given the existing single-agent corticosteroid market, which crosses US$ 2.1 million with treatments needing more frequent doses.
“Partnering with Medvisis marks our expansion into Europe, and we trust in the agency’s strong ties and regulatory expertise to bring this groundbreaking treatment to Swiss patients,” stated Erick Co, the president and CEO of Formosa Pharmaceuticals.
Manuel Ackermann, CEO of Medvisis Switzerland, commented, “We are thrilled to introduce a superior treatment for post-operative inflammation and pain from ocular surgery to patients, setting a foundation for expanding our ophthalmology offerings in Switzerland.”
Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. focuses on developing innovative solutions in ophthalmology and oncology, while Medvisis Switzerland AG is dedicated to promoting specialty, rare disease, and hospital products, along with speedy market access and product registration within Switzerland.