("OKYO" or the "Company") - OKYO Pharma Retains Ora Inc. to Perform Regulatory Development of OK-101 for Dry Eye Indications

("OKYO" or the "Company") - OKYO Pharma Retains Ora Inc. to Perform Regulatory Development of OK-101 for Dry Eye Indications

LONDON and BOSTON, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKYO Pharma Limited (LSE: OKYO; OTCQB: EMMLF), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel molecules to treat inflammatory dry eye diseases and ocular pain, is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of Ora, Inc., a world-class ophthalmology contract research organization ("CRO"), to guide the company's upcoming product development and lead the regulatory strategy of OK-101 for the treatment of dry eye. OK-101, OKYO’s lead pre-clinical compound is a novel long-acting GPCR-based anti-inflammatory drug candidate.

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease that results in ocular discomfort and tear film instability that can lead to ocular surface damage. It is often a chronic problem, particularly in older adults, and is expected to become even more prevalent with the aging population and increased use of digital screens such as computers and smart phones. Despite new product approvals, dry eye disease (DED) remains a significant unmet medical need and is one of the leading causes for patient visits to eye care specialists. Novel therapies that improve the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease will be beneficial to dry eye patients.

Using Membrane-Anchored-Peptide (MAP) Technology, OKYO has developed a novel long-acting drug candidate, OK-101. OK-101 is designed to combat washout through the inclusion of a lipid ‘anchor’ within the candidate drug molecule to enhance the residence time of OK-101 on the ocular surface to target the inflammatory cells. In a clinically predictive mouse dry eye model, OK-101 significantly improved corneal integrity.

"We are very pleased to collaborate with Ora, a global leader in the clinical development of ophthalmology drugs, as we complete preclinical development and advance OK-101 into the clinic for dry eye treatment," said Raj Patil, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of OKYO. "We look forward to working with Ora’s deeply knowledgeable team with a proven track record of advancing drug development for dry eye and across all indications in ophthalmology.”

"We are thrilled that OKYO selected Ora to be their global development partner. The highly experienced cross-functional development team, including our European business unit led by Sally Tucker, MCOptom, Ph.D., at Ora look forward to maximizing the therapeutic potential of OKYO's technology for treating dry eye and improving patients' well-being," said Ora's Chief Development Officer, David Bingaman, D.V.M., Ph.D., D. ACVO.

A key driver in the development of OK-101 to treat DED was an analysis of the difficulties associated with treatment of ocular conditions. A major issue with topical administration of any drug designed for treating DED is the requirement that the drug have adequate ‘residence’ time at the ocular site to afford a pharmacologic benefit before being washed out through natural processes of tear enhancement and lacrimal tear drainage.

“We are eager to complete IND-enabling studies on OK-101 and move it forward into the clinic as we believe the drug’s novel chemical composition, designed as a lipidated stable peptide, offers a new approach to the treatment of DED,” said Gary S Jacob, Ph.D., CEO of OKYO. “We are especially pleased and excited to be working with Ora as we move forward towards an IND filing.”

The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of OKYO.

Enquiries: