OKYO Pharma Announces Plans to Accelerate the Clinical Development of Urcosimod to Treat Neuropathic Corneal Pain
MWN-AI** Summary
OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO), an ophthalmology-focused biopharmaceutical firm, has announced its intent to accelerate the clinical development of urcosimod (formerly OK-101) as a potential treatment for Neuropathic Corneal Pain (NCP). This rare and debilitating condition, characterized by severe eye pain without any FDA-approved therapies, poses significant challenges to patients. In response to heightened interest from patients and positive preliminary findings, OKYO has decided to conclude its Phase 2 trial of urcosimod early, having enrolled 17 patients at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.
The Phase 2 trial, designed as a double-masked, randomized, 12-week placebo-controlled study, was initially meant to include 48 participants, confirming diagnoses via confocal microscopy. However, the decision to close the trial was driven by the need to access masked data sooner, enabling planning for a more extensive multicenter study. OKYO anticipates that the analysis of data from the completed cases will take no longer than six weeks, heralding a possible meeting with the FDA to discuss next steps.
Patients suffering from this chronic pain condition have previously encountered limited efficacy from existing therapies, heightening the urgency for new treatment options. Urcosimod operates as a lipid-conjugated chemerin peptide agonist, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects in earlier trials. The company is also exploring continued compassionate use of urcosimod for patients who completed the trial.
Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D., OKYO's CEO, expressed gratitude to the participants and emphasized that this strategic shift in clinical development is designed to expedite the pathway to possible regulatory discussions and future clinical trials. With a growing patient interest and prior safety data, OKYO is positioning itself as a potential leader in the treatment of neuropathic corneal pain.
MWN-AI** Analysis
OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO) has recently made headlines with its decision to accelerate the clinical development of its lead candidate, urcosimod, aimed at treating neuropathic corneal pain (NCP). The Phase 2 trial, initiated in October 2024, was designed to evaluate urcosimod’s efficacy through a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled approach. However, with only 17 patients completing the trial, the company opted for an early closure to promptly access data and advance its development program.
This strategic pivot is noteworthy, especially considering that there is currently no FDA-approved treatment for NCP, which afflicts many patients with chronic and debilitating pain. The early analysis of the Phase 2 trial results offers OKYO an expedited pathway to discuss the next steps with the FDA, which could significantly enhance its development timeline. CEO Gary S. Jacob's optimism about leveraging this data aligns with a broader strategy to address a substantial unmet medical need, thereby attracting both investor interest and potential partnerships.
In light of these developments, investors should consider several key factors. First, the rarity of approved therapies for NCP positions urcosimod as a potential game-changer in the market, enabling OKYO to capture significant market share. Furthermore, the company's engagement with patients seeking compassionate use of urcosimod highlights the strong demand for innovative treatment options.
Given the ongoing evaluation and prospective FDA discussions, traders may see heightened volatility in OKYO stock. Nevertheless, with foundational data suggesting favorable safety and tolerability, coupled with significant attention from potential trial participants, now might be an advantageous time for investors to consider positions in OKYO. Monitoring forthcoming FDA interactions and trial expansions will be critical in assessing future performance and strategic moves for this emerging player in the ophthalmic pharmaceutical landscape.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
- Urcosimod phase 2 trial treating Neuropathic Corneal Pain (“NCP”) patients was initiated in October 2024 and designed as a double-masked, randomized, 12-week placebo-controlled trial.
- OKYO Pharma plans to analyze the efficacy data from the 17 patients who have now completed the Phase 2 trial.
- OKYO Pharma plans for a meeting with FDA following evaluation of clinical data.
LONDON and NEW YORK, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO), an ophthalmology-focused bio-pharmaceutical company which is developing urcosimod (formerly called OK-101) to treat NCP, an ocular condition associated with chronic and often severe pain but without an FDA-approved therapy, announces plans to accelerate the clinical development of urcosimod to treat NCP through the analysis of its data following the early closure of its Phase 2 trial.
The Phase 2 trial of urcosimod to treat NCP was being conducted at a single trial site at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA. The decision to close the trial now, with 17 patients having presently completed the study, is due to OKYO’s strong desire to access the currently masked data and use it to plan its expanded development program. The patients participating in the trial have all been diagnosed with long term chronic neuropathic corneal pain and had previously been treated with multiple therapies with very limited or no response. Significant interest has been seen in the trial from long-term sufferers of NCP, and OKYO believes it should expand the development program and move forward with a multicenter trial. A considerable number of potential patients have expressed an interest in participating in a future registrational trial.
A number of patients who have now completed the trial have requested continued compassionate use of urcosimod which the Company is seeking to arrange with Tufts Medical Center, subject to the necessary FDA consents.
“By ending this trial now, we believe we can save time in advancing the program to a meeting with FDA to discuss further development of urcosimod,” commented Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of OKYO Pharma. “We anticipate that the analysis of the data from these patients with the closing of this trial should take no longer than 6 weeks. Urcosimod has already demonstrated favorable safety and placebo-like tolerability in our previous 240 patient Phase 2 trial. The decision to close the trial now significantly cuts the time to our requesting an end-of-phase 2 meeting with FDA to explore accelerated plans for the drug’s further clinical development. I want to also thank our patients and study site team for their participation and commitment to this important trial of urcosimod to treat NCP.”
About NCP
Neuropathic corneal pain is a condition that causes severe pain and sensitivity of the eyes, face, or head. The exact cause of neuropathic corneal pain is unknown but is thought to result from nerve damage to the cornea combined with inflammation . Neuropathic corneal pain, which can exhibit as a severe, chronic, debilitating condition in patients suffering from a host of ophthalmic conditions, is presently treated by various topical and systemic treatments in an off-label fashion. Notably, there is no FDA approved drug to treat this debilitating condition.
About the Urcosimod Phase 2 Trial in NCP Patients
The Phase 2 study was designed as a double-masked, randomized, 12-week placebo-controlled trial in NCP patients. A total of 48 patients were planned to enroll for the study, with NCP disease confirmed via confocal microscopy.
About Urcosimod (Formerly called OK-101)
Urcosimod is a lipid conjugated chemerin peptide agonist of the ChemR23 G-protein coupled receptor which is typically found on immune cells of the eye responsible for the inflammatory response, as well as on neurons and glial cells in the dorsal root ganglion. Urcosimod was developed using a membrane-anchored-peptide technology to produce a novel long-acting drug candidate for treating dry eye disease. Urcosimod has been shown to produce anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing activities in mouse models of dry eye disease and corneal neuropathic pain, respectively, and is designed to combat washout through the inclusion of the lipid anchor built into the drug molecule to potentially enhance the residence time of urcosimod within the ocular environment. Urcosimod showed clear statistical significance in multiple endpoints in a recently completed Phase 2, multi-center, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial to treat dry eye disease, and was also being evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked Phase 2 trial to treat neuropathic corneal pain patients.
About OKYO
OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of neuropathic corneal pain and dry eye disease, with ordinary shares listed for trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market. OKYO is focused on the discovery and development of novel molecules to treat neuropathic corneal pain and dry eye disease. In addition to the completed Phase 2 trial of urcosimod to treat dry eye disease patients, OKYO is also currently evaluating urcosimod to treat neuropathic corneal pain patients.
For further information, please visit www.okyopharma.com .
Enquiries:
| OKYO Pharma Limited | Gary S. Jacob, Chief Executive Officer | 917-497-7560 |
| Business Development & Investor Relations | Paul Spencer | +44 (0)20 7495 2379 |
FAQ**
How does OKYO Pharma Limited OKYO plan to utilize the data from the patients in the Phase 2 trial to design the proposed multicenter trial for urcosimod treating neuropathic corneal pain (NCP)?
What specific endpoints did OKYO Pharma Limited OKYO evaluate during the Phase 2 trial of urcosimod, and how might these influence their discussions with the FDA?
Given the early closure of the Phase 2 trial, what contingency plans does OKYO Pharma Limited OKYO have in place to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of urcosimod's safety and efficacy?
How does OKYO Pharma Limited OKYO address the significant interest from potential patients for future trials, and what measures are being put in place for continued compassionate use of urcosimod?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO).
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