OKYO Pharma Granted U.S. Patent Covering OK-101’s Potential for Treating Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

Rhea-AI Summary

OKYO Pharma (NASDAQ: OKYO) has been granted U.S. Patent No. 12,053,501 for its OK-101 drug, covering methods for treating symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). The patent, issued on August 6th, specifically addresses the use of OK-101 to treat irritated, burning eyes and blurred vision in DED patients. This development strengthens OKYO's intellectual property position in the multi-billion-dollar DED market.

OKYO Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on innovative ocular therapies for inflammatory DED and neuropathic corneal pain (NCP). The company's CEO, Dr. Gary S. Jacob, emphasized the importance of this patent in advancing their efforts to address unmet medical needs in ocular pain and inflammation treatment.

Positive

• Granted U.S. Patent No. 12,053,501 for OK-101 drug
• Patent covers treatment of specific dry eye disease symptoms
• Strengthens intellectual property position in multi-billion-dollar market
• Potential for treating neuropathic corneal pain, which lacks FDA-approved therapies

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction – OKYO

+14.72%

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+14.72% News Effect

On the day this news was published, OKYO gained 14.72%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

LONDON and NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative ocular therapies for the treatment of inflammatory dry eye disease (DED), a multi-billion-dollar market, and anterior ocular segment diseases including neuropathic corneal pain (NCP), an ocular condition associated with pain but without an FDA approved therapy, announced today the grant of a key U.S. Patent No. 12,053,501 which issued on August 6^th entitled: “Methods for Treating Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease”. The present disclosure covers issued claims on OK-101’s use to treat irritated, burning eyes and blurred vision in patients suffering from DED, strengthening the Company’s intellectual property position in this field.

“We are delighted with the issuance of this U.S. patent, which underscores the innovative potential of OK-101 to treat DED. This milestone strengthens our intellectual property portfolio and positions OKYO Pharma for continued advancement in addressing significant unmet medical needs,” commented Dr. Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D., CEO of OKYO. “The issuance of this patent further solidifies OKYO Pharma's commitment to advancing novel therapies that aim to improve outcomes for patients suffering from ocular pain and inflammation. The company continues to explore strategic partnerships and collaborations to accelerate the development and commercialization of its pipeline candidates.”

About OK-101
OK-101 is a lipid conjugated chemerin peptide agonist of the ChemR23 G-protein coupled receptor which is typically found on immune cells of the eye responsible for the inflammatory response. OK-101 was developed using a membrane-anchored-peptide technology to produce a novel long-acting drug candidate for treating dry eye disease. OK-101 has been shown to produce anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing efficacy signals in mouse models of dry eye disease and corneal neuropathic pain (NCP), respectively, and is designed to combat washout through the inclusion of the lipid anchor built into the drug molecule to enhance the residence time of OK-101 within the ocular environment. OK-101 recently showed statistical significance in multiple endpoints in a recently completed Phase 2, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of OK-101 to treat DED.

About OKYO
OKYO Pharma Limited (NASDAQ: OKYO) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of DED and NCP, with ordinary shares listed for trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market. OKYO is focused on the discovery and development of novel molecules to treat inflammatory DED and ocular pain. In addition to the recently completed Phase 2 DED trial, OKYO also has plans underway for the opening of a Phase 2 trial for OK-101 to treat NCP in patients with this debilitating condition. For further information, please visit www.okyopharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
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. These and additional risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the company’s filings with the SEC, including those factors identified as “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. 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.

Enquiries:

OKYO Pharma Limited	Gary S. Jacob, Chief Executive Officer	917-497-7560
Business Development & Investor Relations	Paul Spencer	+44 (0)20 7495 2379

FAQ

What is the new U.S. patent granted to OKYO Pharma for OK-101?

OKYO Pharma has been granted U.S. Patent No. 12,053,501 for OK-101, covering methods for treating symptoms of dry eye disease, specifically irritated, burning eyes and blurred vision.

When was the U.S. patent for OKYO Pharma's OK-101 issued?

The U.S. Patent No. 12,053,501 for OKYO Pharma's OK-101 was issued on August 6th, 2024.

What conditions does OKYO Pharma (OKYO) focus on treating?

OKYO Pharma focuses on developing therapies for inflammatory dry eye disease (DED) and neuropathic corneal pain (NCP), an ocular condition without FDA-approved treatments.

How does the new patent impact OKYO Pharma's position in the market?

The new patent strengthens OKYO Pharma's intellectual property portfolio and positions the company for advancement in addressing unmet medical needs in the multi-billion-dollar dry eye disease market.