Nicox S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris: COX), the international ophthalmic company, today announced that its shareholders voted to approve the acquisition of Aciex Therapeutics, Inc., a private, US-based, ophthalmic development pharmaceutical company, at the General Meeting held today October 22, 2014, with more than 97% of votes in favour. The transaction is expected to be completed within the next few days, following the completion of certain legal conditions and formalities. All the other resolutions submitted to the General Meeting were also approved.
The acquisition of Aciex represents a significant step forward in Nicox's strategy of creating an international ophthalmic company and will significantly broaden and strengthen Nicox's therapeutic development pipeline. Aciex's therapeutic pipeline includes:
Upon completion of the acquisition, Nicox will exchange 20,627,024 newly issued Nicox shares for 100% of Aciex's shares. The transaction also includes contingent value rights giving right to shares for a potential additional value of up to $55 million, based on the potential US FDA approval(s) of AC-170 and of two additional undisclosed products within a pre-determined period.
Nicox's shareholders also approved the nomination to Nicox's Board of Directors of Les Kaplan, PhD, Executive Chairman of Aciex Therapeutics, Inc. and former Executive Vice President and President, Research and Development of Allergan, Inc.
For more information, see the Nicox press release dated July 2, 2014 and the 'Document E' registered with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) on September 30, 2014 (E.14-060) (in French, available on Nicox's website www.nicox.com in the 'Investor Information' / 'Shareholder meetings' section).
Nicox (Bloomberg: COX:FP, Reuters: NCOX.PA) is an emerging international company focused on the ophthalmic market. With a heritage of innovative R&D, business development and commercial expertise, the Nicox team is building a diversified portfolio of therapies and diagnostic tools that can help people to enhance their sight. The Company's commercial portfolio and near-term pipeline already include several innovative diagnostic tests intended for eye care professionals, as well as a range of eye care products. Nicox's key proprietary asset in ophthalmology is VESNEO (latanoprostene bunod), a novel compound based on Nicox's proprietary nitric oxide (NO)-donating R&D platform, currently in Phase 3 clinical development in collaboration with Bausch + Lomb for the potential treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Further NO-donors are under development, notably through partners.
Nicox is headquartered in France, with research capabilities in Italy, a growing commercial infrastructure in North America and in the major European markets and an expanding international presence through partners. Nicox S.A. is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment B: Mid Caps). For more information on Nicox or its products please visit www.nicox.com.
