OKYO Pharma Announces Positive Data in Long-Term Stability of Urcosimod

Core Insights - OKYO Pharma Limited is developing urcosimod for treating neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) and inflammatory dry eye disease (DED), with the latter being a multi-billion-dollar market [1][8] - Urcosimod has demonstrated stability for over two and a half years in single-use ampoules, which is crucial for FDA approval [1][6] - The company is currently conducting a Phase 2b clinical trial for urcosimod in NCP patients, involving 48 participants [3][7] Company Overview - OKYO Pharma Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapies for NCP and DED, with shares traded on NASDAQ [8] - The company emphasizes the importance of chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) in drug approval processes, particularly regarding shelf stability [2] Clinical Development - The Phase 2b trial for urcosimod is a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled study, confirming NCP through confocal microscopy [3] - Urcosimod is administered as eye drops, and its stability and efficacy have been positively received in earlier trials for DED [2][5] Drug Characteristics - Urcosimod is a lipid-conjugated chemerin peptide agonist targeting the ChemR23 receptor, designed to provide long-lasting effects in treating dry eye disease and corneal neuropathic pain [5] - The drug has shown anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing activities in preclinical models, enhancing its potential for clinical use [5]