OKYO Pharma Announces Acceptance of Urcosimod Phase 2 Study Results for Presentation at Prestigious ASCRS Annual Meeting
Rhea-AI Summary
OKYO Pharma (Nasdaq: OKYO) announced acceptance of a Phase 2 urcosimod abstract for presentation at the 2026 ASCRS Annual Meeting on April 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. The abstract reports efficacy and safety results from a proof-of-concept pilot Phase 2 study, including pain reduction and corneal nerve health trends.
The company notes urcosimod previously received the first IND to treat NCP and FDA fast track designation, and expects to initiate a 150-patient Phase 2b/3 multiple-dose study in the first half of 2026.
Positive
- Abstract accepted for presentation at ASCRS 2026 on April 11, 2026
- First IND granted to treat neuropathic corneal pain
- Drug awarded FDA fast track designation
- Planned initiation of a 150-patient Phase 2b/3 multiple-dose study in H1 2026
- Proof-of-concept Phase 2 showed efficacy signals including meaningful pain reduction and corneal nerve health trends
Negative
- Results are from a proof-of-concept pilot Phase 2 and are therefore preliminary
- No detailed quantitative efficacy or safety figures disclosed in this announcement
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, OKYO gained 0.49%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. This price movement added approximately $394K to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $81M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Several biotech peers flagged by momentum scanners, including QNCX and ATRA, showed downside moves without same-day news, suggesting the OKYO move was more stock-specific than sector-driven.
Previous Clinical trial Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 11 | Phase 2 nerve data | Positive | +6.9% | New analyses showed directionally favorable corneal nerve outcomes in Phase 2 trial. |
| Sep 22 | Expanded trial plan | Positive | +13.6% | Announced 100-patient multi-center trial following strong Phase 2 pain reduction data. |
| Jul 16 | Phase 2 results | Positive | +7.6% | Reported statistically significant Phase 2 pain reduction and no serious adverse events. |
| Apr 30 | Development acceleration | Positive | +0.0% | Closed Phase 2 early to analyze data and move toward a multicenter trial. |
| Oct 23 | First patient dosed | Positive | +19.4% | Initiated Phase 2 trial with first patient dosing in NCP indication. |
Clinical-trial updates for urcosimod have generally coincided with positive price reactions.
Over the past year, OKYO has repeatedly highlighted urcosimod’s progress in neuropathic corneal pain, from first patient dosing on Oct 23, 2024 to strong Phase 2 pain-reduction data and favorable corneal nerve outcomes. Subsequent announcements outlined an accelerated development path and a larger registration-oriented trial. Today’s ASCRS presentation acceptance reinforces those earlier Phase 2 findings and maintains continuity with the company’s strategy to expand into larger, multi-center Phase 2b/3 studies targeting an indication with no FDA-approved therapies.
Historical Comparison
Clinical-trial updates for OKYO have averaged a 9.53% move. Against that backdrop, the stock’s pre-news position at -6.85% stood out versus prior typically positive reactions.
The clinical-trial news flow shows steady progression from first patient dosing to robust Phase 2 efficacy data and now to planning larger, registration-oriented trials for urcosimod.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights peer-reviewed recognition of urcosimod’s Phase 2 neuropathic corneal pain data via acceptance at the 2026 ASCRS Annual Meeting, alongside plans for a 150-patient Phase 2b/3 trial in the first half of 2026. Historically, clinical-trial news for urcosimod has been followed by positive stock moves averaging 9.53%. Investors may watch for the full ASCRS presentation, detailed Phase 2b/3 design, enrollment progress, and any additional safety or efficacy disclosures as key next checkpoints.
Key Terms
neuropathic corneal pain medical
fast track designation regulatory
investigational new drug (ind) regulatory
phase 2b/3 medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
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
When and where will OKYO (OKYO) present urcosimod Phase 2 results at ASCRS 2026?
What did OKYO report about urcosimod efficacy and safety from the Phase 2 study?
Has urcosimod received any regulatory designations relevant to development?
When does OKYO expect to start the larger Phase 2b/3 trial for urcosimod and what is its size?
What does ASCRS presentation acceptance mean for OKYO shareholders and development progress?
