Kiora Pharmaceuticals to Present Preclinical Data on KIO-104 for the Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy at the ARVO 2025 Annual Meeting

Rhea-AI Summary

Kiora Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KPRX) has announced that their preclinical study abstract for KIO-104 in treating proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) will be presented at the ARVO 2025 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City. The study demonstrates KIO-104's potential as a therapeutic candidate for both preventing and treating PVR.

The presentation, titled 'KIO-104, a novel small molecule inhibitor of DHODH, effectively prevents proliferative vitreoretinopathy in a rabbit model,' will showcase research evaluating multiple dose levels' effectiveness in reducing scar formation and magnitude in a retinal detachment model. KIO-104 functions by suppressing T cell division and function, potentially offering a new approach to reducing inflammation that leads to scar formation.

Currently, there are no approved treatments for PVR, a condition characterized by scar formation and retinal detachment following eye surgery or trauma. KIO-104 is simultaneously undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials for macular edema treatment.

Positive

• First potential treatment for PVR, addressing an unmet medical need
• Successful preclinical results showing effectiveness in PVR prevention
• Dual development potential: PVR prevention and macular edema treatment

Negative

• Still in early preclinical stage for PVR indication
• No clinical efficacy data available yet for PVR treatment

Encinitas, California--(Newsfile Corp. - March 12, 2025) - Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KPRX), ("Kiora" or the "Company") announced their abstract of a preclinical study of KIO-104 in a proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) model was accepted for poster presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting in Salt Lake City, UT, May 4-8, 2025. The findings support KIO-104 as a promising therapeutic candidate for both the prevention and treatment of PVR.

The presentation, titled, "KIO-104, a novel small molecule inhibitor of DHODH, effectively prevents proliferative vitreoretinopathy in a rabbit model," will be presented by Romana Seda-Zehetner, MSc MSc Tox, Kiora's Director, Preclinical Development. The study evaluated the effect of KIO-104 at multiple dose levels on the reduction of both scar formation and magnitude in an established model of retinal detachment. Clinically, PVR is characterized by scar formation and subsequent retinal detachment. This complication of retinal surgery and/or eye trauma is believed to be driven by abnormal levels of inflammation and proliferation of cells normally involved in retinal tissue repair and can lead to repeated retinal detachments and progressive loss of vision. There are currently no available approved treatment options for PVR.

KIO-104 is a small molecule DHODH inhibitor that works by suppressing T cell division and function. Suppressing T cells in PVR could provide a novel approach to reducing or eliminating inflammation that often leads to scar formation. KIO-104 is being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with macular edema, an inflammation driven condition secondary to several conditions including diabetic retinopathy and posterior non-infectious uveitis.

Presentation details:

Presentation #: 218 - A0485
Session Title: Vitreoretinal surgery and retinal detachment I
Date: May 4, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM Mountain Standard Time

About Kiora Pharmaceuticals

Kiora Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing advanced therapies for retinal disease. We target critical pathways underlying retinal diseases using innovative small molecules to slow, stop, or restore vision loss. KIO-301 is being developed for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, and Stargardt disease. It is a molecular photoswitch that has the potential to restore vision in patients with inherited and/or age-related retinal degeneration. KIO-104 is being developed for the treatment of retinal inflammation. It is a next-generation, non-steroidal, immuno-modulatory, and small-molecule inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH).

In addition to news releases and SEC filings, we expect to post information on our website, www.kiorapharma.com, and social media accounts that could be relevant to investors. We encourage investors to follow us on X and LinkedIn as well as to visit our website and/or subscribe to email alerts.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release are "forward-looking" and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These "forward-looking" statements include statements relating to, among other things, Kiora's ability to execute on development and commercialization efforts and other regulatory or marketing approval efforts pertaining to Kiora's development-stage products, including KIO-104 and KIO-301, as well as the success thereof, with such approvals or success may not be obtained or achieved on a timely basis or at all, the sufficiency of existing cash on hand to fund operations for specific periods, the projected cash runway, the ability to timely complete planned initiatives for 2024, including phase 2 clinical development of KIO-301 and KIO-104, the potential for KIO-301 to be the first treatment options for patients with inherited degenerative diseases like RP, Kiora's plans to further fund development of KIO-104, the potential for KIO-104 to reduce inflammation, the timing of topline results from clinical trials of KIO-104, the potential for KIO-104 to apply to other retinal inflammatory diseases, the anticipated readout dates for Kiora's clinical trials and their likelihood of success, and expected trends for research and development and general and administrative spending in 2024. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from the statements set forth in this press release the ability to conduct clinical trials on a timely basis, market and other conditions and certain risk factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in Kiora's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2024 or described in Kiora's other public filings including on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 8, 2024. Kiora's results may also be affected by factors of which Kiora is not currently aware. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Kiora expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to such statements to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any changes in the events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

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Contact:
investors@kiorapharma.com

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FAQ

What are the key findings of Kiora's KIO-104 preclinical study for PVR treatment?

The preclinical study showed KIO-104 effectively prevents proliferative vitreoretinopathy by reducing scar formation and magnitude in a rabbit model through T cell suppression.

When and where will KPRX present their KIO-104 research findings?

Kiora will present at the ARVO Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT, on May 4, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM MST.

What other conditions is KPRX's KIO-104 being tested for?

KIO-104 is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for treating macular edema, particularly in cases related to diabetic retinopathy and posterior non-infectious uveitis.

How does Kiora's KIO-104 work in treating PVR?

KIO-104 is a DHODH inhibitor that works by suppressing T cell division and function, potentially reducing inflammation that leads to scar formation in PVR.