By Health In Five Writer
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, a pharma company committed to developing and commercialising innovative ophthalmic products announced that Ocumension Therapeutics, a China-based ophthalmic pharmaceutical company has made a $15.7 million equity investment in EyePoint. Under the terms of the agreement, Ocumension has purchased approximately 3.01 million shares of EyePoint’s common stock at a five-day trailing volume weighted average price as of the close of trading on December 29, 2020 of approximately $5.22 per share.
“This investment underscores our continued strong partnership with Ocumension for YUTIQ and DEXYCU in Asia,” said Nancy Lurker, President and Chief Executive Officer of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals. “We are excited about the significant potential of these products in both the U.S. and in Asia and for our R&D pipeline, including the Phase 1 trial of EYP-1901 in wet age-related macular degeneration that is expected to commence in the coming months.”
“We are delighted to support our partnership with EyePoint through this investment, as we prepare for the development and commercialization of YUTIQ and DEXYCU, under Ocumension branded labels, across Asian markets,” said Ye Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Ocumension. “We share EyePoint’s commitment to rapidly advancing new treatments for ocular disease in attractive markets and look forward to commercial launches in China in the coming year.”
In conjunction with the investment, Ye Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Ocumension has been appointed to the EyePoint Board of Directors, replacing Kristine Peterson who has stepped down from the board effective December 31, 2020.
Cash and cash equivalents are estimated to be approximately $44 million on December 31, 2020, including the net proceeds from the Ocumension equity investment. The cash and cash equivalents estimate as of December 31, 2020 was calculated prior to the completion of a review by the Company’s independent registered accounting firm and is therefore subject to adjustment. Cash on hand, combined with cash inflows from anticipated product sales and continued cash conservation activities are expected to fund the Company’s operating plan into the second half of 2021, assuming no significant increase in COVID-19-related closures that would considerably decrease the frequency of ophthalmology office visits or the number of cataract surgical procedures performed across the U.S.
