Ocugen hands Sydney's Celairis Asia-Pacific rights to eye gene therapy ahead of pivotal readout

Ocugen has struck a regional licensing deal for OCU400, its investigational gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, with Sydney-based Celairis Therapeutics. The companies announced the agreement on 10 November 2026. It gives Celairis exclusive rights in Australia, New Zealand and the member markets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The financial terms favour the originator. Ocugen will receive an upfront payment, plus development and milestone payments of up to $7.1 million. It will also collect a high single-digit royalty and 50% of gross profits. The size of the upfront fee was not stated in the information available, so the total headline value of the deal cannot be calculated.

Celairis will be responsible for regulatory filings, market access and commercialisation across the territory. Dossier preparation and dealings with national authorities therefore sit with the Australian company rather than with Ocugen.

The timing places the deal ahead of key evidence. OCU400 is not approved anywhere in the licensed territory. Top-line Phase 3 data are expected in the first quarter of 2027, and regional submissions are due to follow that readout. Revenue from the territory is therefore some way off and depends on the trial result and on regulatory decisions that have yet to be sought.