ENCINITAS, California - Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KPRX) has announced the successful completion of a Phase 1 study for its ophthalmic drug KIO-101, marking a significant step in the treatment of eye inflammation.
The double-masked study, recently published in the journal Pharmaceutics, demonstrated that KIO-101 was well tolerated in both healthy volunteers and patients with inflammation of the eye, specifically conjunctival hyperemia, a common symptom of ocular inflammation.
The clinical trial consisted of two parts, with the first involving 24 healthy volunteers who received varying doses of KIO-101 eye drops, and the second part including 21 patients with conjunctival hyperemia. Results indicated a significant reduction in conjunctival hyperemia for those treated with KIO-101 compared to a placebo group.
The treatment group also saw a decrease in the Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire (OSDI) score, although the difference was not statistically significant when compared to the placebo group.
KIO-101 and KIO-104, both part of Kiora's KIO-100 family of compounds, leverage the same active molecule formulated differently for specific conditions and regions of the eye. These drugs are DHODH inhibitors, a class that includes the FDA-approved drug teriflunomide used for treating multiple sclerosis.
By targeting T-cell-related inflammation locally in the eye, the company aims to offer a non-steroidal therapeutic alternative to systemic anti-inflammatory drugs, potentially reducing side effects.
Dr. Eric Daniels, Chief Development Officer at Kiora, expressed optimism about the molecule's ability to address ocular inflammation. Following these results, Kiora plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial for KIO-104, intended for intravitreal injection to treat posterior non-infectious uveitis, a rare condition that can lead to vision loss.
Kiora Pharmaceuticals specializes in developing treatments for orphan retinal diseases and is currently working on several other products, including KIO-301 and KIO-104, for various retinal conditions. The company has previously reported positive outcomes from a Phase 1 trial of KIO-104 for posterior non-infectious uveitis.
The information for this article is based on a press release statement from Kiora Pharmaceuticals.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.