Kiora Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:KPRX) enrolled the first patient in its Phase 2 trial of KIO-101 in the treatment of the ocular presentations of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
The multi-center, controlled, randomized, double-masked study is targeting enrollment of up to 120 patients. Participants will receive one of two doses of KIO-101 or a placebo.
Efficacy endpoints will evaluate established ocular signs and symptoms, including but not limited to corneal staining and changes in the Schirmer’s test score at 12 weeks. The study will also evaluate several safety and tolerability measures.
“KIO-101 has the potential to address an unmet need for patients with rheumatoid arthritis as well as other autoimmune diseases that manifest in the eye,” Eric Daniels, M.D. and chief development officer at Kiora, said in a statement.
Despite recent advancements in the treatment of autoimmune disease, there are few if any options to address autoimmune disease locally in the eye. Currently, available therapies only provide limited relief of ocular dryness, pain and discomfort and are not based on validated autoimmune targets. KIO-101 is a patient-friendly eye drop with a proven mechanism of action in autoimmune diseases.
