INTERVIEW-NicOx sees growth in 2009 on new drug

* NicOx CEO expects growth in 2009 if new drug successful

* New drug Naproxcinod could lead to $1 billion annual sales

* Says all options remain open for its glaucoma drug

By Noelle Mennella

PARIS (Reuters) - 2009 could be a year of growth for NicOx (NCOX.PA) if its new osteoarthritis drug Naproxcinod is approved, the French biotechnology group's Chief Executive Michele Garufi told Reuters on Monday.

In a telephone interview, Garufi said NicOx was in talks with groups in the United States to help it market the drug, which could lead to $1 billion in annual sales.

NicOx expects to file a New Drug Application (NDA) for Naproxcinod with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by mid-2009 when third-phase trials are completed for patients with hip and knee arthritis.

Garufi said the knee trial would be completed before the end of September and the hip trial before Christmas, adding that previous studies of the anti-inflammatory drug had shown "a very good profile" in terms of efficiency and tolerance.

"If we have a good partner, if the product's profile is confirmed, the potential is there and all the partners with whom we have spoken agree with us," Garufi said.