Sun Pharma in focus post successful clinical trial

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (BSE Code: 524715) has announced positive topline results in the confirmatory Phase-3 clinical trials for Seciera. The company communicated this news through a disclosure made to BSE late in the evening on January 4, 2017, along with a press note.

Seciera (cyclosporine A, 0.09 per cent ophthalmic solution) is a drug that will be used for the treatment of the dry eye condition. The company stated that the drug met primary and secondary endpoints in pivotal trial showing an efficacy at 12 weeks of treatment.

Commenting on the development, Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director, Sun Pharma, said, “We are happy to see the early onset of action and strong efficacy results for Seciera. These results are highly encouraging for millions of dry eye patients across the globe that have yet to find relief for their condition. We look forward to discussing these results with the US FDA and agree on next steps for the programme.”

Seciera is being developed by Ocular Technologies, a company that was recently acquired by Sun Pharma. This gives Sun Pharma exclusive, worldwide rights to Seciera and is developing it to with a view to commercialise the drug for global markets, including the US, Europe, Japan and several emerging markets. The overall market for dry eye treatment is expected to grow to about USD 5 billion by 2020 which augurs well for Sun Pharma’s future prospects.

Meanwhile, the Sun Pharma stock was trading at Rs 647.40 on the BSE, up by Rs 9.80 or 1.54 per cent, from the days open of Rs 643.60, reaching the day's high and low of Rs 647.80 and Rs 642.00, respectively. The stock had closed at Rs 637.60 after yesterday’s trading and opened with a gap-up today.