Aldeyra in option pact with AbbVie for up to $300M potential payment

Aldeyra Therapeutic (ALDX) announced that it has entered into an exclusive option agreement with AbbVie (ABBV). Under the terms of the option agreement, AbbVie has the option to acquire a co-exclusive license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize reproxalap in the U.S. and an exclusive license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize reproxalap outside the U.S. Aldeyra will receive a non-refundable option fee of $1M and an upfront payment of $100M less option fees if AbbVie chooses to exercise the option. Under the terms of the license agreement, Aldeyra would be eligible to receive up to $300M in regulatory and commercial milestone payments, inclusive of a $100M milestone payment upon U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of reproxalap in dry eye disease; in the United States, Aldeyra and AbbVie would share profits and losses from the commercialization of reproxalap according to a split of 60% for AbbVie and 40% for Aldeyra; and for markets outside the U.S., Aldeyra would be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales of reproxalap. Exercise of the option will also grant AbbVie the right of first negotiation for compounds that are owned or otherwise controlled by Aldeyra in the field of ophthalmology relating to treating conditions of the ocular surface. The right of first negotiation is in addition to a right to review data for any other compounds that are owned or otherwise controlled by Aldeyra in the fields of ophthalmology and immunology before such data is shared with any other third party. Additional details regarding the terms of the option agreement may be found in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Aldeyra with the Securities and Exchange Commission.