Kiora, Théa Open Innovation enter agreement for inherited retinal disease treatment
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Key takeaways:
- Théa Open Innovation will receive development and commercialization rights to KIO-301.
- KIO-301 demonstrated vision improvements in late-stage retinitis pigmentosa in a phase 1/2 study.
Kiora Pharmaceuticals has entered into a strategic agreement that grants Théa Open Innovation development and commercialization rights to KIO-301 for the treatment of degenerative retinal diseases.
“TOI is an established global developer and provider of eye care products. They have the experience and resources to complete clinical development and, if approved, bring KIO-301 to patients in need of treatment options for inherited retinal disease,” Brian Strem, PhD, CEO of Kiora, told Healio.
According to a press release, Kiora will receive $16 million upfront and up to $285 million from Théa Open Innovation (TOI), a sister company of Laboratoires Théa, “upon achievement of prespecified clinical development, regulatory and commercial milestones; tiered royalties of up to low 20% on net sales; and reimbursement of KIO-301 research and development expenses.”
The agreement covers the exclusive rights for development and commercialization of KIO-301, a small molecule designed to provide retinal ganglion cells with light-sensing capabilities, for retinitis pigmentosa and other possible ophthalmic indications across the world, excluding Asia. Kiora will continue clinical development of KIO-301 through phase 2, while Théa will take over primary responsibility for phase 3 clinical trials and regional marketing authorizations.
“It’s important to share with the medical community that KIO-301 has the potential to address inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) with a new type of molecule: a photoswitch,” Strem said. “Photoswitches work by activating neurons downstream of degenerated rods and cones so that they can relay signals to the brain. Because it is a small molecule and not a gene-specific treatment, KIO-301 can theoretically be applied across the hundreds of gene mutations implicated in IRDs, such as retinitis pigmentosa.”
In the phase 1/2 ABACUS study, KIO-301 demonstrated improvements in vision in late-stage retinitis pigmentosa.
“Given the challenge of treating IRDs, success with KIO-301 could spur even further investment and development of treatments using multiple technologies and approaches,” Strem said.
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