LONDON and NEW YORK, March 19, 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 announced it has been informed that John Brancaccio, Non-Executive Director, has acquired 5,000 of the Company’s ordinary shares on NASDAQ at $1.61, bringing his total holding to 31,201 shares. About Urcosimod (formerly called OK-101) Urcosimod is ...

Core Viewpoint - OKYO Pharma Limited is advancing its clinical-stage biopharmaceutical development, particularly focusing on therapies for neuropathic corneal pain and inflammatory eye diseases, with recent positive trial results for its lead drug, Urcosimod [1][2][3]. Group 1: Company Developments - Gary Jacob, Chief Development Officer and Director of OKYO Pharma, has acquired 30,980 ordinary shares at $1.59, increasing his total holdings to 108,920 shares [1]. - OKYO Pharma has successfully completed a Phase 2 trial for Urcosimod, demonstrating its efficacy in reducing neuropathic corneal pain [3]. - The company plans to initiate a Phase 2b/3 multiple-dose study involving approximately 150 subjects to further evaluate Urcosimod for treating neuropathic corneal pain in the first half of the year [3]. Group 2: Product Information - Urcosimod, previously known as OK-101, is a lipid-conjugated chemerin peptide agonist targeting the ChemR23 receptor, which is involved in the inflammatory response in the eye [2]. - In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked Phase 2a trial with 18 subjects, Urcosimod showed significant pain reduction for neuropathic corneal pain [2]. - The drug has also demonstrated positive results in a prior Phase 2 trial involving 240 subjects for dry eye disease, supporting its development for neuropathic corneal pain [2].