Harrow Licenses Canadian Rights to Apotex for Five Branded Ophthalmic Drugs

Harrow and Canadian pharma company Apotex jointly announced an exclusive out-licensing agreement under which Apotex will market and distribute Verkazia and over-the-counter (OTC) Cationorm PLUS in the Canadian market, and concurrently, pursue market approval in Canada for Vevye, Iheezo, and Zerviate.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Apotex licensed exclusive rights and marketing authorizations of the following products in the Canadian market from Harrow:

• Verkazia (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.1%, a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children from four years of age through adolescence
• Cationorm PLUS, an OTC, preservative-free emulsion for the treatment of dry eye symptoms and the treatment of signs and symptoms of ocular allergy

Apotex will pursue approval for in Canada:

• Vevye (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.1%, a novel water-free vehicle (perfluorobutylpentane) based on semifluorinated alkanes, indicated to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease
• Iheezo (chloroprocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic gel) 3%, a single-use, low-viscosity gel indicated for ocular surface anesthesia
• Zerviate (cetirizine ophthalmic solution) 0.24%, a histamine-1 (H1) receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis

“We are pleased to enter the Canadian market through this partnership with Apotex, which has a proven track record of success serving Canadian eyecare professionals and their patients,” Mark L. Baum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harrow, said in a company news release. “This exclusive agreement fulfills our commitment to access and availability of these five important ophthalmic pharmaceutical products, and we look forward to working closely with our partners at Apotex over the coming years as they seek approval for Vevye, Iheezo and Zerviate in the Canadian market.”

“We are excited to partner with Harrow to provide access to an innovative branded line of ophthalmic products that complement our existing portfolio,” said Allan Oberman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Apotex. “This alliance expands Apotex’s product offering in Canada to include innovative patented pharmaceutical medicines, aligned with our ongoing strategic focus to further expand our innovative branded pharmaceutical therapeutic areas of focus in becoming a Canadian-based global health company.”