TIDMOKYO
RNS Number : 3986D
OKYO Pharma Limited
29 June 2021
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD
CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH
JURISDICTION
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES
OF ARTICLE 7 OF REGULATION 2014/596/EU (WHICH FORMS PART OF
DOMESTIC UK LAW PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT
2018) ("UK MAR"). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS
INSIDE INFORMATION (AS DEFINED IN UK MAR) IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE
IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF REGULATION (EU) NO 596/2014
OKYO Pharma Limited
("OKYO" or the "Company")
OKYO Pharma Retains Ora Inc. to Perform Regulatory Development
of OK-101 for Dry Eye Indications
London and Boston, MA, 29 June 2021 - OKYO Pharma Limited (LSE:
OKYO; OTCQB: EMMLF), a biotechnology company focused on the
discovery and development of novel molecules to treat inflammatory
dry eye diseases and ocular pain, is pleased to announce that it
has retained the services of Ora, Inc., a world-class ophthalmology
contract research organization ("CRO"), to guide the company's
upcoming product development and lead the regulatory strategy of
OK-101 for the treatment of dry eye. OK-101, OKYO's lead
pre-clinical compound is a novel long-acting GPCR-based
anti-inflammatory drug candidate.
Dry eye is a multifactorial disease that results in ocular
discomfort and tear film instability that can lead to ocular
surface damage. It is often a chronic problem, particularly in
older adults, and is expected to become even more prevalent with
the aging population and increased use of digital screens such as
computers and smart phones. Despite new product approvals, dry eye
disease (DED) remains a significant unmet medical need and is one
of the leading causes for patient visits to eye care specialists.
Novel therapies that improve the signs and symptoms of dry eye
disease will be beneficial to dry eye patients.
Using Membrane-Anchored-Peptide (MAP) Technology, OKYO has
developed a novel long-acting drug candidate, OK-101. OK-101 is
designed to combat washout through the inclusion of a lipid
'anchor' within the candidate drug molecule to enhance the
residence time of OK-101 on the ocular surface to target the
inflammatory cells. In a clinically predictive mouse dry eye model,
OK-101 significantly improved corneal integrity.
"We are very pleased to collaborate with Ora, a global leader in
the clinical development of ophthalmology drugs, as we complete
preclinical development and advance OK-101 into the clinic for dry
eye treatment ," said Raj Patil, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of
OKYO. "We look forward to working with Ora's deeply knowledgeable
team with a proven track record of advancing drug development for
dry eye and across all indications in ophthalmology."
"We are thrilled that OKYO selected Ora to be their global
development partner. The highly experienced cross-functional
development team, including our European business unit led by Sally
Tucker, MCOptom, Ph.D., at Ora look forward to maximizing the
therapeutic potential of OKYO's technology for treating dry eye and
improving patients' well-being ," said Ora's Chief Development
Officer, David Bingaman, D.V.M., Ph.D., D. ACVO.
A key driver in the development of OK-101 to treat DED was an
analysis of the difficulties associated with treatment of ocular
conditions. A major issue with topical administration of any drug
designed for treating DED is the requirement that the drug have
adequate 'residence' time at the ocular site to afford a
pharmacologic benefit before being washed out through natural
processes of tear enhancement and lacrimal tear drainage.
"We are eager to complete IND-enabling studies on OK-101 and
move it forward into the clinic as we believe the drug's novel
chemical composition, designed as a lipidated stable peptide,
offers a new approach to the treatment of DED," said Gary S Jacob,
Ph.D., CEO of OKYO. "We are especially pleased and excited to be
working with Ora as we move forward towards an IND filing."
The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on
behalf of the Company was Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D., Chief Executive
Officer of OKYO.
Enquiries:
Gary S. Jacob, Chief Executive
Officer
Gabriele Cerrone, Non-Executive +44 (0)20 7495
OKYO Pharma Limited Chairman 2379
Optiva Securities
Limited +44 (0)20 3981
(Broker) Robert Emmet 4173
RedChip Companies Dave Gentry dave@redchip.com
Inc.
(Investor Relations) +1 407-491-4498
Notes for Editors:
About OKYO
OKYO Pharma Limited (LSE: OKYO; OTCQB: EMMLF) is a life sciences
and biotechnology company admitted to listing on the standard
segment of the Official List of the UK Financial Conduct Authority
and to trading on the main market for listed securities of London
Stock Exchange plc. OKYO is focusing on the discovery and
development of novel molecules to treat inflammatory dry eye
diseases and chronic pain.
About Ora (R) , Inc.
Ora is an ophthalmology research organisation with over 40+
years of clinical and R&D experience. We are honored to have
participated in numerous global projects and in doing so, have
helped customers bring many novel products to market for patients
in need. Ora is able to provide a full suite of services for drugs
and devices, including CMC, pre-clinical, clinical, regulatory and
post marketing support across all ophthalmic therapeutic areas. We
strive to deliver high-quality and customised clinical trial
services with the added benefit of in-house specialties, expertise,
and direct access to thought-leaders and novel endpoints that are
unique to ophthalmology and Ora.
Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical
facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations,
estimates, and projections about its industry; its beliefs; and
assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,'
'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject
to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some
of which are beyond the Company's control, are difficult to
predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from
those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements.
The Company cautions security holders and prospective security
holders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which reflect the view of the Company only as of the
date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in
this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the
statements are made. The Company will not undertake any obligation
to release publicly any revisions or updates to these
forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or
unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement
except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory
authority.
For further information, please visit the Company's website at
www.okyopharma.com .
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