According to the company, this intellectual property (IP) further protects Kiora's pipeline by covering multiple small molecule analogs, delivery methods, and several inflammatory-related therapeutic applications. These include posterior non-infectious uveitis, thereby extending market exclusivity for approved indications in the US and Europe.
With these patents issued, Kiora and potential partners can move forward with the development and commercialization of its KIO-100 family of compounds in combination with optimal delivery routes and formulations.
In posterior non-infectious uveitis, the company’s KIO-104 product demonstrated promising results in a phase 1b clinical study demonstrating decreased retinal inflammation in a dose-dependent fashion and significantly improved visual acuity compared to historical controls treated with steroids or Humira.
Posterior non-infectious uveitis is a debilitating autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the retina, choroid, vitreous, or optic nerve and can lead to severe vision loss if left untreated.
Kiora's anti-inflammatory platform, which includes KIO-104, encompasses a family of small molecules that selectively and potently inhibit the enzyme DHODH. By inhibiting DHODH locally, these small molecules have the potential to significantly limit the deleterious inflammatory effects in the retina arising from autoimmune diseases.
Brian Strem, CEO and president at Kiora, said: “These patents are a testament to the strength of our R&D efforts and the importance of drug delivery. This milestone further strengthens the potential commercial position of KIO-104, as a safe and potent steroid-sparring approach.”
“This third generation DHODH inhibitor is a more potent molecule belonging to a validated class of FDA-approved anti-inflammatory drugs already benefitting tens of thousands of multiple sclerosis patients a year. KIO-104 could similarly provide benefit for patients in retinal inflammatory diseases like posterior non-infectious uveitis.”
