Kiora Pharmaceuticals to Present Topline Results from the ABACUS Study at American Academy Ophthalmology (AAO); Phase 1b Study Evaluating KIO-301 in Retinitis Pigmentosa

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Encinitas, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2023) - Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KPRX), ("Kiora" or the "Company") announced that results from the ABACUS study of KIO-301 in patients with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa will be presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO 2023) conference on November 4, 2023. The late-breaking abstract has been accepted for presentation at the retinal subspecialty day and will include findings from all six participants and 12 evaluated eyes in the Phase 1b, dose-escalating, open-label study.

KIO-301 is a novel light-sensing molecular photoswitch intended to restore light perception and functional vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited retinal disease. ABACUS is the first-in-human clinical trial evaluating proof-of-concept using a small molecule photoswitch. Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, will present the data.

The presentation will include analysis of safety and tolerability, for which there have been no reported serious adverse events. Efficacy analysis will also be presented, including changes from baseline in kinetic visual fields, visual acuity and functional vision; and functional MRI of the visual cortex. Assessments in the study were performed at baseline and longitudinally over 28-days post-treatment.

Presentation details:

  • Title: "Intravitreal Injection of 'Photoswitch' Molecule (KIO-301) Improves Visual Function in Late-Stage Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Patients
  • Presenter: Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine
  • Date and time: November 4, 2023 at 9:15 am Pacific Time

About Kiora Pharmaceuticals

Kiora Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing products for the treatment of orphan retinal diseases. KIO-301 is being developed for the treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa with plans to additionally develop KIO-301 for Choroideremia and Stargardt's Disease. KIO-301 is a molecular photoswitch that has the potential to restore light perception in patients with inherited and/or age-related retinal degeneration. Kiora plans to develop KIO-104 for the treatment of posterior non-infectious uveitis. It is a next-generation, non-steroidal, immuno-modulatory and small molecule inhibitor of Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (DHODH) with what Kiora believes is best-in-class picomolar potency and a validated immune modulating mechanism (blocks T cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine release).

In addition to news releases and SEC filings, we expect to post information on our website, www.kiorapharma.com, and social media accounts that could be relevant to investors. We encourage investors to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn as well as to visit our website and/or subscribe to email alerts.

Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this press release are "forward-looking" and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These "forward-looking" statements include statements relating to, among other things, the development and commercialization efforts and other regulatory or marketing approval efforts pertaining to Kiora's development-stage products, including KIO-301 and KIO-104, as well as the success thereof, with such approvals or success may not be obtained or achieved on a timely basis or at all, the potential ability of KIO-301 to restore vision in patients with RP, the expecting timing of enrollment, dosing and topline results for the ABACUS study, the ability to develop KIO-301 for Choroideremia and Stargardt's Disease and KIO-104 for posterior non-infectious uveitis, the ability to utilize strategic relationships to develop certain product candidates, Kiora's ability to draw on its equity line of credit, and Kiora's ability to achieve the specific milestones described herein. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from the statements set forth in this press release, including, among other things, the ability to conduct clinical trials on a timely basis, the ability to obtain any required regulatory approvals, market and other conditions and certain risk factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in Kiora's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 23, 2023, or described in Kiora's other public filings. Kiora's results may also be affected by factors of which Kiora is not currently aware. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Kiora expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to such statements to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any changes in the events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Investor Contact
investors@kiorapharma.com

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SOURCE Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Released September 14, 2023