Preclinical study of KIO-104 in a proliferative vitreoretinopathy model accepted for poster presentation at ARVO 2025

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An abstract of a preclinical study of KIO-104 in a proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) model was accepted for poster presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting in Salt Lake City, UT, May 4-8, 2025. The findings of this model support KIO-104 as a promising therapeutic candidate for both the prevention and treatment of PVR.¹

In the press release¹, Kiora Pharmaceuticals shared that the presentation will be titled, "KIO-104, a novel small molecule inhibitor of DHODH, effectively prevents proliferative vitreoretinopathy in a rabbit model." It will be presented by Romana Seda-Zehetner, MSc MSc Tox, Kiora's Director, Preclinical Development.

Presentation details

• Presentation number: 218 - A0485
• Session title: Vitreoretinal surgery and retinal detachment I
• Date: May 4, 2025
• Time: 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM Mountain Standard Time

The study evaluated the effect of KIO-104 at multiple dose levels on the reduction of both scar formation and magnitude in an established model of retinal detachment. Clinically, PVR is characterized by scar formation and subsequent retinal detachment.¹

KIO-104 is a small molecule DHODH inhibitor that works by suppressing T cell division and function. Suppressing T cells in PVR could provide a novel approach to reducing or eliminating inflammation that often leads to scar formation. KIO-104 is being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with macular edema, an inflammation driven condition secondary to several conditions including diabetic retinopathy and posterior non-infectious uveitis.

Reference:

1. Kiora Pharmaceuticals to Present Preclinical Data on KIO-104 for the Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy at the ARVO 2025 Annual Meeting. Kiora Pharmaceuticals. March 12, 2025. Accessed March 16, 2025. https://www.streetinsider.com/Newsfile/Kiora+Pharmaceuticals+to+Present+Preclinical+Data+on+KIO-104+for+the+Treatment+of+Proliferative+Vitreoretinopathy+at+the+ARVO+2025+Annual+Meeting/24488038.html