Kiora Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KPRX) details CDO exit and trial progress
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Kiora Pharmaceuticals announced that Chief Development Officer Eric J. Daniels, M.D., MBA will resign effective April 17, 2026 to pursue another opportunity. The company stated his departure is not due to any disagreement over operations, policies, or practices and has begun a search for his successor.
Kiora emphasized continued progress in its retinal disease pipeline. In the ABACUS-2 Phase 2 trial of KIO-301, a planned safety review allowed enrollment of remaining patients in the 50µg dose cohort and cleared initiation of the 100µg cohort. In the KLARITY Phase 2 trial of KIO-104, all planned safety checkpoints have been cleared and patient enrollment is ongoing.
Positive
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Negative
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8-K Event Classification
3 items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
3 items
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
CDO resignation effective date: April 17, 2026
Press release date: April 2, 2026
KIO-301 50µg cohort: 50µg dose
+1 more
4 metrics
CDO resignation effective date
April 17, 2026
Effective date of Eric J. Daniels’ departure
Press release date
April 2, 2026
Date Kiora announced the management change
KIO-301 50µg cohort
50µg dose
Remaining patients in ABACUS-2 Phase 2 can be enrolled
KIO-301 100µg cohort
100µg dose
ABACUS-2 Phase 2 cleared to initiate this cohort
Key Terms
Phase 2 clinical trial, molecular photoswitch, macular edema, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), +1 more
5 terms
Phase 2 clinical trial medical
"As previously disclosed, following a planned safety review, the ABACUS-2 Phase 2 clinical trial (KIO-301) received approval"
A phase 2 clinical trial is a research study that tests a new medical treatment or drug to see if it is effective and safe for a specific condition. It involves a larger group of people than earlier trials and helps determine whether the treatment should move forward to more extensive testing. For investors, successful phase 2 results can signal potential for future approval and commercial success, while setbacks may indicate challenges ahead.
molecular photoswitch medical
"It is a molecular photoswitch that has the potential to restore vision"
macular edema medical
"KIO-104 is being developed for the treatment of macular edema due to retinal inflammation."
Macular edema is a buildup of fluid in the macula, the small central part of the eye responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision, which causes blurred or distorted sight as if looking through a smudged camera lens. For investors it matters because the condition drives demand for treatments, influences clinical trial results and regulatory approvals, and can change a company’s sales and valuation when new drugs or devices prove effective or fail.
dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) medical
"small-molecule inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH)."
Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is an enzyme inside cells that helps make the chemical building blocks needed for DNA and RNA. Investors care because drugs that block DHODH can slow rapidly dividing cells or modulate the immune system, making it a common target for cancer, autoimmune and antiviral therapies; progress in clinical trials, regulatory decisions, patents or competition around DHODH inhibitors can significantly affect a biotech’s risk and value.
Regulation FD Disclosure regulatory
"Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure."
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 1, 2026
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
| (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||
(858 ) 224-9600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class: | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered: | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On April 1, 2026, Eric J. Daniels, M.D., MBA, the Chief Development Officer of Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company that he will resign as Chief Development Officer effective as of April 17, 2026 (the “Effective Date”) to pursue another opportunity. Mr. Daniel’s resignation did not result from any disagreement regarding the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On April 2, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Daniel’s resignation. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information furnished herein, including Exhibit 99.1, is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. This information will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates them by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit Number | Title | |||||||
99.1 | Press Release of Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc., dated as of April 2, 2026 | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Melissa Tosca | |||||||
| Melissa Tosca | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| (Principal financial and accounting officer) | ||||||||
| Date: April 2, 2026 | ||||||||
Exhibit 99.1
Kiora Pharmaceuticals Announces Management Team Changes
Encinitas, California — April 2, 2026 — Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KPRX) ("Kiora" or the "Company") today announced that Eric J. Daniels, M.D., MBA, will depart from his role as Chief Development Officer on April 17, 2026, to pursue other opportunities. The Company has initiated a search for his successor.
“Eric has made significant contributions to Kiora during his time with the Company," said Brian M. Strem, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Kiora. "On behalf of the entire team, I want to thank Eric for his commitment, contributions, and lasting impact on the Company.”
Kiora remains focused on advancing its pipeline of treatments for retinal disease and maintaining momentum across its development programs. The Company’s internal clinical development team continues to drive enrollment for the KIO-301 and KIO-104 studies through the support of Kiora's established network of outsourced CRO partners. As previously disclosed, following a planned safety review, the ABACUS-2 Phase 2 clinical trial (KIO-301) received approval to enroll the remaining patients in the 50µg dose cohort, as well as clearance to initiate the 100µg dose cohort. In the KLARITY Phase 2 clinical trial (KIO-104), all planned safety review checkpoints have been cleared and patient enrollment is ongoing.
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 initially for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa, with potential to expand into 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 macular edema due to 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, and and the positioning of KIO-301 for potential success in clinical trials and potential commercialization. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from the statements set forth in this press release, including, among other things, 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, 2026 or described in Kiora's other public filings, including on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 7, 2025. 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.
Contacts:
Investors
Investors@kiorapharma.com
FAQ
What management change did Kiora Pharmaceuticals (KPRX) announce?
Kiora Pharmaceuticals announced that Chief Development Officer Eric J. Daniels, M.D., MBA will resign effective April 17, 2026. He is leaving to pursue another opportunity, and the company stated his resignation is not due to any disagreement over operations, policies, or practices.
When is Kiora Pharmaceuticals’ CDO Eric Daniels leaving the company?
Eric J. Daniels will depart his role as Chief Development Officer on April 17, 2026. He notified Kiora on April 1, 2026, and the company has begun searching for his successor while emphasizing continuity in its ongoing clinical development programs.
Did Kiora Pharmaceuticals report any disputes linked to the CDO resignation?
Kiora Pharmaceuticals stated that Eric Daniels’ resignation did not result from any disagreement regarding the company’s operations, policies, or practices. The filing characterizes his departure as a move to pursue another opportunity, rather than being tied to internal conflicts or strategic disputes.
What is the status of Kiora Pharmaceuticals’ KIO-301 ABACUS-2 Phase 2 trial?
Following a planned safety review, the ABACUS-2 Phase 2 trial of KIO-301 was cleared to enroll remaining patients in the 50µg dose cohort and to initiate the 100µg cohort. This indicates regulators and monitors allowed the trial to proceed at higher dose levels.
How is Kiora Pharmaceuticals progressing its KIO-104 KLARITY Phase 2 trial?
In the KLARITY Phase 2 trial of KIO-104, all planned safety review checkpoints have been cleared and patient enrollment is ongoing. Kiora highlighted that its internal clinical development team, supported by contract research organizations, continues driving trial enrollment and execution.
What therapeutic areas are Kiora Pharmaceuticals’ KIO-301 and KIO-104 targeting?
KIO-301 targets retinal diseases, initially retinitis pigmentosa with potential expansion to choroideremia and Stargardt disease, aiming to restore vision as a molecular photoswitch. KIO-104 targets macular edema due to retinal inflammation as a non-steroidal, immuno-modulatory small-molecule DHODH inhibitor.