OKYO Pharma Announces Potent Anti-inflammatory Effects of OK-113 in a Mouse Model of Dry Eye Disease

OKYO Pharma has announced potent anti-inflammatory activity of OK-113, an in-house discovered proprietary agonist of Chemerin GPCR, in an experimental model of dry eye disease (DED) in mice. These preclinical efficacy data, identifying a lead drug candidate, will facilitate initiation of clinical studies for DED treatment in 2020.

Targeting GPCR, a ‘Nobel Prize’ winning scientific concept, is proven to be an innovative approach for treatment of a wide range of inflammatory diseases, cancers and non-opioid analgesics for management of chronic pain. More than 40% of the drugs available in the global market target GPCR, according to OKYO Pharma.

Topical treatment, as eye drops, with OK-113 showed potent anti-inflammatory effects to reduce corneal permeability and other symptoms of dry eye in a mouse model of DED. In these studies, OK-113 was as potent as cyclosporine, an immunosuppressive drug which is the active ingredient of Restasis (Allergan). These results are consistent with our earlier report, which was featured in a ‘Late Breaking Poster Presentation’ at the 14^th Congress on Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.¹ The demonstration of potent anti-inflammatory activity in the mouse model of DED and the results exhibiting absence of local irritation in a rabbit model are important basis for initiation of the upcoming IND-enabling studies, and subsequently to IND submission for DED treatment.

“We are excited with these proof-of-concept studies demonstrating potential of our core GPCR-based technology for treatment of inflammatory diseases and non-opioid analgesics for management of chronic pain,” Willy Simon, Executive Chairman of OKYO Pharma Limited, said in a company news release.

“Dry eye is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects millions of people globally and currently it has limited treatment options. We are pleased with these positive results identifying our in-house discovered lead drug candidate for DED treatment” said Dr. Raj Patil, Senior Director R&D, OKYO Pharma Limited.

1. R. Patil, B. Harwood, A. Kopin, and K. Shailubhai (2019) OKYO-0101, an agonist of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), ameliorates inflammation in an experimental model of dry eye disease in mice. 14^th Congress on Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, New Orleans, LA