On July 17, 2020 Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), an international ophthalmology company, reported Q2 2020 operational highlights, revenue and cash position for Nicox SA and its subsidiaries (the "Nicox Group"), as well as updating key expected milestones for the remainder of 2020 (Press release, NicOx, JUL 17, 2020, View Source [SID1234562025]).

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Key Expected Upcoming Milestones
NCX 470 Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial: The adaptive design part of the first Phase 3 clinical trial of NCX 470 for lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension is on track to be completed in Q4 2020, facilitating both the start of the second Phase 3 "Denali" trial on schedule and the completion of the Mont Blanc trial where patients will then continue on the selected NCX 470 dose in the subsequent head-to-head 3-month safety and efficacy evaluation of NCX 470 vs. latanoprost.
NCX 470 Denali Phase 3 clinical trial: The second Phase 3 glaucoma clinical trial, jointly managed and equally funded by Nicox and Ocumension, is currently expected to start in Q4 2020. It will include clinical sites in both the U.S. and China, with the majority of the patients being in the U.S. The Denali trial was designed and is expected to be sufficient to support NDA filings in the U.S. and China.
NCX 4251 Phase 2b clinical trial: This Phase 2b trial will include both blepharitis and dry eye endpoints with the option of declaring either the blepharitis or dry eye endpoints as the primary outcome of the trial. Timing and further trial design details will be announced in due course.
ZERVIATETM China: A Phase 3 clinical trial for approval in China, to be conducted and financed by Ocumension, is currently expected to start by Q4 2
We continue to closely watch the spread of COVID-19 and its impact. We do not currently anticipate delays to our clinical timelines but we are monitoring the situation and will provide updates if there is an impact on our development projects and timelines.

Second Quarter 2020 and Recent Operational Highlights
The total number of prescriptions1 for VYZULTA (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024%, in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2020 increased by 36% compared to the second quarter of 2019 and was unchanged compared to the first quarter of 2020.
ZERVIATETM (cetirizine ophthalmic solution), 0.24%, U.S. prescriptions2 totaled 1,389 in Q2 2020, the first full quarter of sales following launch in the U.S. in March 2020.
We divested our shareholding in VISUfarma, a pan-European ophthalmic specialty pharmaceutical company, to a subsidiary of the main shareholder, GHO Capital, for €5 million.
The first Phase 3 clinical trial, named Mont Blanc, evaluating NCX 470 for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, was initiated on June 1, 2020, and currently has over 40 clinical sites initiated in the trial. NCX 470 is the company’s novel, second-generation nitric oxide (NO)-donating bimatoprost analog. The Mont Blanc trial is a multi-regional, double-masked, 3-month, parallel group, adaptive design trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of NCX 470 ophthalmic solution, 0.065% and 0.1% compared to latanoprost ophthalmic solution, 0.005% in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. In an adaptive portion of the trial, one NCX 470 dose will be selected to continue in the subsequent head-to-head 3-month efficacy and safety evaluation of NCX 470 vs. latanoprost. The primary efficacy evaluation is based on time-matched IOP at 8 AM and 4 PM at Week 2, Week 6 and Month 3. The trial is expected to randomize approximately 670 patients, primarily at approximately 50 clinical sites in the U.S. and at a small number of clinical sites in China.
A successful Type C meeting with the U.S. FDA was held, with agreement on Phase 2b trial designs for NCX 4251 in both acute exacerbations of blepharitis and the reduction of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. NCX 4251, a novel patented ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals, is Nicox’s second product candidate in clinical development. The timing of the future program for NCX 4251 is subject to securing the financial resources to advance its development.
Following results from in vivo primary pharmacodynamics studies of naproxcinod in models of sickle-cell disease, U.S. partner Fera Pharmaceuticals decided to focus its development of naproxcinod on the treatment of painful vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle-cell disease. Fera plans to conduct further studies and other development activities in preparation for entering directly into a clinical efficacy trial of naproxcinod in sickle-cell patients, subject to being granted an ODD.
Second Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights
As of June 30, 2020, the Nicox Group had cash and cash equivalents of €40.4 million as compared with €28.0 million at December 31, 2019 and €45.2 million at March 31, 2020. This figure does not include the €5 million from the divestment of our VISUfarma shareholding in July. Net revenue3 for the second quarter of 2020 was €0.6 million (consisting entirely of royalties), compared to €5.2 million (including €4,7 million of milestone and upfront payments) for the second quarter of 2019.

As of June 30, 2020, the Nicox Group had financial debt of €17.7 million in the form of a bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital signed in January 2019.

Only the figure related to the cash position of the Nicox Group as of December 31, 2019 is audited; all other figures of this press release are non-audited.

Notes
1. Bloomberg data, comparing the period of the weeks ending April 3, 2020 to June 26, 2020 with the period of the weeks ending January 3, 2020 to March 27, 2020 and April 5 2019 to June 28, 2019
2. Bloomberg data for the period of the weeks ending April 3, 2020 to June 26, 2020
3. Net revenue consists of revenue from collaborations less royalty payments, which corresponds to Net profit in the consolidated statements of profit or loss