OKYO Pharma Announces Acceptance of Urcosimod Phase 2 Study Results for Presentation at Prestigious ASCRS Annual Meeting
MWN-AI** Summary
OKYO Pharma Limited (Nasdaq: OKYO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) and inflammatory eye diseases, has announced that the abstract detailing results from its Phase 2 study of urcosimod has been accepted for presentation at the 2026 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Annual Meeting. This paper, titled "Evaluation of Urcosimod in Neuropathic Corneal Pain: Efficacy and Safety Results from a Proof-of-Concept Pilot Phase 2 Study," will be presented in Washington, DC, on April 11, 2026.
The acceptance of the abstract follows a competitive review process by ASCRS, with only a select few submissions chosen for presentation. The study highlights promising efficacy and safety data from the recently completed proof-of-concept Phase 2 trial, which indicates significant pain reduction and improvements in corneal nerve health for patients suffering from NCP—a condition characterized by severe eye pain and sensitivity, often lacking effective FDA-approved treatments.
Robert Dempsey, CEO of OKYO Pharma, expressed enthusiasm about sharing this important data with leading ophthalmologists, as it underscores urcosimod's potential as a novel therapeutic option for NCP. The company plans to commence a larger Phase 2b/3 trial involving 150 patients in the first half of 2026, building on its prior positive results.
Urcosimod, formerly known as OK-101, functions as a lipid-conjugated chemerin peptide agonist that targets inflammatory responses and pain in the eye. With the FDA granting fast track designation for urcosimod, OKYO Pharma is poised to continue advancing its research and development efforts in the field of ophthalmic care.
MWN-AI** Analysis
OKYO Pharma Limited (Nasdaq: OKYO) has made significant strides with its investigational therapy, urcosimod, as it prepares for the presentation of promising Phase 2 study results at the upcoming ASCRS Annual Meeting. The acceptance of OKYO's findings underscores urcosimod's potential to address a largely unmet medical need in treating neuropathic corneal pain (NCP). This therapy’s unique mechanism of action, involving a novel lipid-conjugated chemerin peptide agonist, positions it favorably within an industry that currently lacks FDA-approved treatments for NCP.
The anticipation surrounding the ASCRS presentation on April 11, 2026, sets the stage for heightened visibility among leading ophthalmologists, which could catalyze investor interest and potential partnership opportunities. Given the positive signals from the Phase 2 trials indicating significant pain reduction and improved corneal nerve health, there is substantial potential for a favorable market reaction post-presentation.
Prior to this event, investors should closely monitor OKYO's stock performance leading up to the meeting, as momentum often builds in advance of significant announcements. The company’s recent achievements, including IND approval and fast-track designation from the FDA, further bolster its profile as a serious contender in the biopharmaceutical space.
As OKYO moves toward a larger Phase 2b/3 trial with plans to recruit 150 patients, maintaining investor confidence will be crucial. Successful data dissemination and trial progress could validate the therapeutic potential of urcosimod, presenting long-term growth opportunities for the company.
Overall, investors with an appetite for risk should consider accumulating shares, particularly as the market may react favorably to positive advancements in the upcoming ASCRS presentation and subsequent clinical milestones. Monitoring the company's communication and updates will be key in navigating potential volatility as the trials unfold.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
LONDON and NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKYO Pharma Limited (Nasdaq: OKYO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing investigational therapies for the treatment of neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) and for inflammatory eye diseases, today announces that an abstract on its lead candidate, urcosimod (formerly OK-101), has been accepted for presentation at the prestigious 2026 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Annual Meeting.
The accepted paper, titled "Evaluation of Urcosimod in Neuropathic Corneal Pain: Efficacy and Safety Results from a Proof-of-Concept Pilot Phase 2 Study", will be presented in the Ocular Surface Disease II session on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the meeting in Washington, DC.
This acceptance follows a rigorous and highly competitive review process by the ASCRS Annual Meeting Program Committee, where only a limited number of submissions are selected each year. The abstract highlights efficacy and safety data from OKYO's recently completed proof-of-concept Phase 2 study of urcosimod in patients with neuropathic corneal pain.
Robert Dempsey, Chief Executive Officer of OKYO Pharma, commented: "We are delighted to have our proof-of-concept Phase 2 data on urcosimod accepted for presentation at the prestigious 2026 ASCRS Annual Meeting. This recognition underscores the potential of urcosimod as a novel, first-in-class therapeutic for neuropathic corneal pain, a debilitating condition affecting patients with significant unmet need. Building on positive efficacy signals, including meaningful pain reduction and encouraging corneal nerve health trends from our study, this platform provides an important opportunity to share these results with leading ophthalmologists and advance our ongoing development efforts toward a planned larger Phase 2b/3 trial in the first half of 2026."
The ASCRS Annual Meeting is a premier gathering for anterior segment surgeons and ophthalmologists focused on cataract, refractive, cornea, and glaucoma innovations.
As previously communicated, urcosimod was granted the first IND to treat patients with NCP and was awarded fast track designation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company expects to initiate a 150-patient Phase 2b/3 multiple-dose study of urcosimod to treat NCP in the first half of this year.
About Neuropathic Corneal Pain (NCP)
Neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) is a chronic, often debilitating condition characterized by severe pain and sensitivity of the eyes, and in some cases the face or head. It is thought to result from damage or dysfunction of corneal sensory nerves, often in combination with inflammatory processes, and may occur in patients with a range of underlying ophthalmic conditions. There are currently no FDA-approved therapies specifically for NCP, resulting in patients being treated with limited or no success using various topical and systemic medications in an off-label manner.
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 has been shown to produce anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing activities in a mouse model of dry eye disease and in a neuropathic corneal pain mouse model, respectively. OKYO recently announced positive data on NCP pain reduction in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked Phase 2 trial involving 18 neuropathic corneal pain patients. Urcosimod showed clear statistical significance in multiple endpoints in an earlier 240-patient Phase 2, multi-center, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial to treat dry eye disease.
About OKYO Pharma
OKYO Pharma Limited (Nasdaq: OKYO) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) and inflammatory eye diseases, 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 other ocular diseases. OKYO recently completed a successful phase 2 trial of its flagship drug urcosimod in patients with NCP and plans to initiate a 150-patient Phase 2b/3 multiple-dose study of urcosimod to treat NCP in the first half of this year.
For further information, please visit www.okyopharma.com.
For further inquiries:
OKYO Pharma Ltd
Paul Spencer, Business Development, and Investor Relations
+44 (0) 207 495 2379
Email: info@okyopharma.com
FAQ**
What are the key implications for investors considering OKYO Pharma Limited (OKYO) in light of its upcoming presentation at the 2026 ASCRS Annual Meeting?
How has the FDA's fast track designation for OKYO Pharma Limited (OKYO) influenced market expectations and investor confidence in the development of urcosimod?
In what ways could the success of urcosimod impact OKYO Pharma Limited (OKYO) amidst the current competitive landscape for neuropathic corneal pain treatments?
What potential risks should investors be aware of regarding OKYO Pharma Limited (OKYO) as it prepares for a larger Phase 2b/3 trial of urcosimod in the first half of 2026?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO).
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