Oculis acquires worldwide rights to its Privosegtor candidate

Oculis, a biopharmaceutical company focused on ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology, will acquire all worldwide development and commercial rights to Privosegtor, one of its two core product candidates, from Accure. The transaction will result in the termination of the existing license agreement between the two companies, including associated milestone payments and royalties for each successful indication.

Privosegtor is a peptoid small-molecule candidate that crosses the blood-brain and retinal barriers, with the potential to become a first neuroprotective therapy for optic neuritis and other neuro-ophthalmic and neuro-axonal diseases. Results from the ACUITY Phase 2 trial pointed to its neuroprotective potential, with improvements in visual function corroborated by anatomical preservation of the retina and reduced neurofilament levels in the blood following an acute episode of optic neuritis. Consistent results were observed in animal models of glaucoma, optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis.

The candidate is currently being evaluated in the company’s PIONEER program, which includes two registrational trials in optic neuritis and one in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Building on the ACUITY dataset and FDA pre-IND feedback, Oculis is also planning an investigational new drug submission for the treatment of acute multiple sclerosis relapses.

Under the asset purchase agreement, Oculis will acquire Accure’s rights to Privosegtor (ACT-01) at a first closing and, separately, to ACT-02, an early-stage preclinical neurology candidate. Total consideration for both transactions comprises an upfront cash payment of USD 3.8 million (CHF 3.1 million) and up to 2,050,000 Oculis ordinary shares, part of which are subject to vesting upon development and regulatory milestones. The closing for Privosegtor is expected no later than February 28, 2027, and that for ACT-02 no later than March 31, 2027.