Ophthotech Corp (ISEE) shocked the market Tuesday with an incredibly strong licensing deal with big pharma Novartis (NVS 1.10%). Shares surged nearly 25% higher after announcing a $1 billion deal surrounding Fovista, the company's lead drug candidate.
Novartis will get rights for the drug outside the U.S., and beyond the cash and milestone payments, Ophthotech will receive a nearly unheard of mid 30% royalty stream. Opthotech's drug would be taken with other wet-AMD drugs like Regeneron's (REGN -0.09%) Eyelea or Lucentis, which Novartis conveniently already sells internationally.
In this episode of Market Check-Up, the Motley Fool's health-care-focused investing show, analysts David Williamson and Michael Douglass discuss the Ophthotec's slam-dunk deal, why Fovista is uniquely positioned to succeed, and ultimately why there is a lot to like about this stock.
