Bausch and Lomb and Schering AG, Germany has obtained an exclusive worldwide license from Schering to develop and market a selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist (SEGRA) for the non-systemic treatment of eye disorders.

Bausch and Lomb will evaluate the compound's potential as a novel anti-inflammatory medication with an improved safety profile for ophthalmic indications. Today glucocorticoids are the most potent and frequently used anti-inflammatory compounds but their value is limited by side effects including glaucoma induction. SEGRAs, using a distinct molecular mechanism after binding to a glucocorticoid receptor, may demonstrate a superior effect/side-effect profile when compared to standard glucocorticoids. The project is in the initial pre clinical stage of evaluation.

"Our agreement with Schering, a pre-eminent name in the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals, is yet another example of how we at Bausch and Lomb are actively pursuing unique compounds and creative therapeutic approaches in order to expand our pipeline of new products to help people with vision-threatening ophthalmic conditions," said Praveen Tyle, PhD, Bausch and Lomb chief scientific officer and senior vice president Global Research and Development. "We believe that the SEGRA technology is a natural fit with Bausch and Lomb's ocular anti-inflammatory expertise, and would strategically complement our portfolio of proprietary loteprednol-based anti-inflammatory products, Lotemax, Alrex and Zylet."

"The collaboration with Bausch and Lomb is an excellent opportunity for us to broadly explore the potential of SEGRAs and capitalize on the full value of these compounds," said Dr Khusru Asadullah, head of Inflammation Research for Schering AG, Germany.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bausch and Lomb are responsible for development of the SEGRA compound for non-systemic use in ophthalmology. Bausch and Lomb will make upfront and milestone payments based on the development and registration progress, and pay ongoing royalties based on product sales. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.