According to reports from CNBC TV18, Lupin's wholly owned subsidiary VISUfarma B.V. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with USA-based Visus Therapeutics Inc. for commercializing 'YUVEZZI' in the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland. Visus Therapeutics Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tenpoint Therapeutics Holding, creating a strategic partnership for regional ophthalmic therapy distribution. As reported by Lupin Limited, this marks another step in Lupin's strategy to expand its specialty ophthalmology business through VISUfarma, following the company's strategic acquisition of the eye-care specialist. The partnership provides VISUfarma with exclusive rights to undertake regulatory activities, commercialization, marketing, promotion, distribution and sale of YUVEZZI in the licensed territories for an initial term lasting until the twentieth anniversary of the product's first commercial sale in each country, with options for additional five-year renewal periods.
According to the latest reports, the deal is valued at up to €75 million and will be structured through a series of payments made by VISUfarma to Visus. The agreement includes a €20 million strategic investment in Visus or its parent entity via a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) instrument, along with up to €55 million in regulatory and commercial milestone payments. As reported by Lupin Limited, VISUfarma will make a strategic investment in Visus, with Tenpoint and Visus, individually or collectively, being eligible to receive regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties based on net sales. The partnership represents a strategic investment by Lupin in the European eye care market, aligning with its ongoing efforts to expand through innovative therapies and targeted acquisitions. The ₹837 crore headline consideration is structured with only ₹223 crore upfront as the strategic investment, while the remaining ₹614 crore is linked to specified regulatory and commercial milestones, reducing immediate financial commitment compared to a transaction with full upfront payment.
As reported by CNBC TV18, YUVEZZI is a proprietary ophthalmic product indicated for the treatment of presbyopia in adults. The partnership provides VISUfarma with exclusive rights to undertake regulatory activities, commercialization, marketing, promotion, distribution and sale of YUVEZZI in the licensed territories. According to Lupin Limited, YUVEZZI is described as the first and only approved once-daily dual-agent eye drop for presbyopia. The product combines carbachol and brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution in a 2.75%/0.1% formulation, with carbachol helping pupils constrict for better focus and brimonidine preventing pupil dilation. The product recently received U.S. FDA approval in January 2026, with Tenpoint advancing commercialization of YUVEZZI in the United States. Tenpoint has also submitted a marketing authorisation application in the UK through the MHRA's International Recognition Procedure and plans to pursue regulatory applications in additional international markets. The agreement provides Lupin with access to a differentiated ophthalmology product while keeping a substantial portion of the financial commitment linked to regulatory and commercial outcomes.
According to CNBC TV18, Lupin Limited shares were trading at ₹2,222.40, down 0.12% at 1:34 pm on Thursday, August 20. The stock has declined 10.3% in the past month but is up 5.74% this year, so far. The company currently has a market capitalization of ₹1,01,410.13 crore. The stock performance reflects market reaction to the strategic partnership announcement, with investors assessing the potential impact on Lupin's specialty ophthalmology portfolio. The financial scale of the YUVEZZI commitment is relatively small compared with the company's annual revenue and profitability, with the ₹223 crore strategic investment representing only a fraction of Lupin's operations. The partnership allows Lupin to utilize its existing capabilities to commercialise another speciality product without establishing an entirely new commercial platform.
According to CNBC TV18, Lupin CEO Vinita Gupta expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating "We are delighted to partner with Tenpoint Therapeutics to bring a novel ophthalmic therapy that advances our Specialty Care strategy." She added that the partnership builds on Lupin's strategic acquisition of VISUfarma, strengthens its vision-care franchise and expands its presence across key European markets. As reported by Lupin Limited, the deal will strengthen its ophthalmology portfolio, expand its specialty business presence and create long-term growth opportunities in the presbyopia treatment market across the licensed territories. The agreement provides for additional royalty payments based on net sales and sales milestone payments upon achievement of specified sales thresholds in the licensed territories, with milestone payments linked to regulatory submissions, approvals and other commercial milestones for YUVEZZI.
