Patients treated with 0.05% urcosimod demonstrated directionally favorable improvements in nerve fiber count and fiber length, trends not observed in the placebo groupThese findings suggest that urcosimod may have a positive impact on corneal nerve health in patients with neuropathic corneal painCorneal nerve imaging data from the Phase 2 NCP trial were analyzed using in vivo confocal microscopy LONDON and NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO), a clinical-stage bioph ...

Core Insights - Several small-cap biotech and pharma companies experienced notable gains in after-hours trading, with Nutex Health being the most significant mover following its quarterly results [1] Company Summaries - **Nutex Health Inc. (NUTX)**: The company saw its stock surge by 20.97% to $120.00 after reporting a third-quarter net loss of $17.7 million, compared to a net loss of $0.4 million in the same period last year. However, total revenue increased significantly by 220.7% year-over-year to $244.0 million from $76.1 million [2] - **Bullfrog AI Holdings, Inc. (BFRG)**: The stock rose by 5.87% to $0.9798 in after-hours trading, likely due to investor positioning ahead of an upcoming technical presentation at the AI Drug Discovery & Development Summit 2025 [3] - **Clearside Biomedical, Inc. (CLSD)**: The company’s stock increased by 6.51% to $3.27 after reporting a narrower third-quarter net loss of $5.97 million compared to $7.69 million last year, although revenue fell sharply to $201 thousand from $1.04 million [4] - **Aytu BioPharma, Inc. (AYTU)**: The stock climbed 8.91% to $2.20, following a prior close of $2.02. The company reported a first-quarter net income of $2.0 million versus $1.5 million a year ago, with revenue of $13.9 million compared to $16.6 million in the prior year [5] - **Adicet Bio, Inc. (ACET)**: The stock added 5.21% to $0.6325, with a reported third-quarter net loss of $12.4 million, slightly wider than last year's $11.6 million. Revenue declined by 16% year-over-year to $6.8 million, but the company reiterated its 2025 revenue guidance [6] - **OKYO Pharma Limited (OKYO)**: The stock rose by 2.44% to $2.18. The CEO is scheduled to present at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit XV, discussing the investigational drug candidate urcosimod, which has shown promising results in Phase 2 trials [7]

LONDON and NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO), an ophthalmology-focused bio-pharmaceutical company which is developing urcosimod to treat neuropathic corneal pain (NCP), an ocular condition associated with chronic and often severe nerve-related pain but without an FDA-approved therapy, announced that Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit (OIS) XV. The presentation is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, ...

Core Insights - OKYO Pharma Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for neuropathic corneal pain and inflammatory eye diseases, with a lead investigational candidate, urcosimod [1][6]. Company Overview - OKYO Pharma is listed on NASDAQ and is dedicated to discovering and developing novel molecules for treating ocular diseases, particularly neuropathic corneal pain and dry eye disease [6]. - The company recently completed a Phase 2 clinical trial for urcosimod, which is currently being evaluated for its efficacy in treating neuropathic corneal pain [6]. Clinical Development - Urcosimod, a lipid conjugated chemerin peptide agonist, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects in preclinical models and has shown statistical significance in multiple endpoints during a 240-patient Phase 2 trial for dry eye disease [5]. - A recent Phase 2 trial involving 17 patients with neuropathic corneal pain has just been completed, indicating progress in the clinical development of urcosimod [5][6]. Upcoming Events - The CEO of OKYO Pharma, Dr. Gary S. Jacob, will present at the 33rd Annual BIO-Europe partnering conference in Vienna, Austria, scheduled for November 3-5, 2025, where he will discuss the company's advancements and clinical milestones [2][3].

Core Insights - Several healthcare and biotech stocks experienced significant price movements on September 29, driven by clinical trial updates, regulatory progress, and strategic announcements Company Performance Highlights - Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (PHIO) saw an 8.9% increase in after-hours trading, rising from $2.36 to $2.57, following a 5.83% gain during the regular session, attributed to a positive safety committee recommendation for its PH-762 skin cancer trial [1][2] - Barinthus Biotherapeutics plc (BRNS) rose 8.11% in after-hours trading to $1.60 after closing at $1.48, with a notable 21.3% gain, driven by renewed interest in its immunotherapeutic pipeline [2][3] - Neogen Corp. (NEOG) jumped 5.59% in after-hours trading to $5.90, reversing a 1.41% decline earlier in the day, following announcements of its upcoming earnings release and a renewed sponsorship agreement [3][4] - OKYO Pharma Ltd. (OKYO) increased by 9% in after-hours trading to $2.18 after a decline of 8.26% during the regular session, due to renewed focus on its clinical-stage program for urcosimod [5] - Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AUPH) rose 8.05% in after-hours trading to $11.95, despite a 15.83% drop earlier, reflecting heightened activity around its lupus nephritis treatment, LUPKYNIS, and a collaboration with Otsuka Pharmaceutical [6] - RAPT Therapeutics, Inc. (RAPT) climbed 4.43% in after-hours trading to $27.80, following the FDA's clearance of its IND application for RPT904, allowing it to proceed with a Phase 2b trial targeting food allergies [7][8]

Core Insights - OKYO Pharma Ltd has announced significant topline data from its Phase 2 trial of urcosimod for treating neuropathic corneal pain, a condition with no FDA-approved treatments [1][4][11] - The trial was randomized, placebo-controlled, and involved 48 patients, with confocal microscopy used to confirm the presence of neuropathic pain [1][8][10] - The study was halted early after 17 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment due to notable pain reduction in those receiving urcosimod topically [2][10] Company Overview - OKYO Pharma is pioneering the development of the first drug specifically targeting neuropathic corneal pain, which is described as severe nerve pain comparable to having a spinal cord injury in the eye [5][11] - The company has received fast track designation from the FDA, allowing for an accelerated development process towards drug approval [11][12] Clinical Trial Details - The Phase 2 trial commenced in October and was designed to ensure that participants had neuropathic pain rather than inflammatory pain [8][9] - The decision to stop the trial early was made to assess the drug's effectiveness sooner, with the aim of moving forward with discussions with the FDA based on the preliminary data [10][12][13] Future Steps - Following the positive data from the trial, the company plans to approach the FDA to discuss the next stages of development for urcosimod [11][12] - The urgency in halting the trial early reflects the company's commitment to addressing the needs of patients suffering from a condition with no current approved treatments [14]

Core Insights - OKYO Pharma Limited has received $1.9 million in non-dilutive funding to support the clinical development of urcosimod for treating neuropathic corneal pain (NCP), a condition with no FDA-approved therapies [1][2][3] Company Overview - OKYO Pharma is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for neuropathic corneal pain and dry eye disease, with its shares traded on NASDAQ [6] - The company aims to discover and develop novel molecules specifically targeting neuropathic corneal pain and dry eye disease [6] Product Development - Urcosimod, the lead drug candidate, is a lipid conjugated chemerin peptide agonist designed to treat ocular diseases by producing anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects [5] - Urcosimod has shown statistical significance in multiple endpoints in a completed Phase 2 trial for dry eye disease and has just completed a Phase 2 trial for neuropathic corneal pain [5][6] Market Need - Neuropathic corneal pain is a severe and underdiagnosed condition characterized by debilitating pain and sensitivity, currently treated off-label with no FDA-approved options available [4][5]

Company Overview - Proactive is a financial news publisher that provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The company has a team of experienced news journalists who produce independent content across various financial markets [2] Market Focus - Proactive specializes in medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - The content includes insights across sectors such as biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging digital and EV technologies [3] Technology Adoption - Proactive is recognized for its forward-looking approach and enthusiastic adoption of technology to enhance workflows [4] - The company utilizes automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring that all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

Group 1 - Proactive provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The news team covers medium and small-cap markets, as well as blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - Proactive has bureaus and studios in key finance and investing hubs including London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth [2][3] Group 2 - The company is focused on sectors such as biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging digital and EV technologies [3] - Proactive adopts technology to enhance workflows and improve content production [4] - Automation and software tools, including generative AI, are used, but all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

Core Viewpoint - OKYO Pharma Limited has received Fast Track designation from the FDA for urcosimod, aimed at treating neuropathic corneal pain (NCP), a condition currently lacking an FDA-approved therapy [1][4]. Company Overview - OKYO Pharma Limited is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for neuropathic corneal pain and dry eye disease, with its shares traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market [8]. Product Development - Urcosimod, previously known as OK-101, is being developed to address NCP, characterized by severe eye pain due to nerve damage [1][3]. - The Phase 2 trial for urcosimod is a double-masked, randomized, 12-week placebo-controlled study involving patients with confirmed NCP [6]. FDA Fast Track Designation - The Fast Track designation is intended to expedite the development and review of therapies for serious conditions, providing benefits such as more frequent FDA meetings and eligibility for Accelerated Approval [2]. - This designation highlights the urgent medical need for effective treatments for NCP, which is currently managed through off-label therapies [5]. Mechanism of Action - Urcosimod is a lipid-conjugated chemerin peptide agonist targeting the ChemR23 G-protein coupled receptor, involved in the inflammatory response and pain management [7]. - The drug has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects in preclinical models, with a design aimed at enhancing its residence time in the ocular environment [7].