Kiora Pharmaceuticals received a new U.S. patent (US‑12,472,263) on December 1 2025 that protects additional and novel formulations of its lead retinal‑inflammation asset, KIO‑104. The grant follows the company’s earlier patent filings and expands the legal protection for the drug’s delivery formats, extending the exclusivity window that shields the asset from generic competition.
KIO‑104 is a non‑steroidal small‑molecule inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). In a Phase 1 study, the compound demonstrated safety and early signs of efficacy in patients with non‑infectious uveitis. The drug is now enrolling in the Phase 2 KLARITY trial, which evaluates KIO‑104 in multiple retinal inflammatory conditions, including posterior non‑infectious uveitis and diabetic macular edema.
Kiora’s financial position remains solid. As of November 7 2025, the company reported $19.4 million in cash and equivalents, giving it a projected runway into late 2027. The cash cushion supports continued investment in the KLARITY study and other pipeline programs without immediate financing needs.
The patent grant strengthens Kiora’s competitive moat by extending the exclusivity period for KIO‑104’s new delivery formats. A longer exclusivity window enhances the asset’s long‑term value, as it delays the entry of generic competitors and provides a clearer path to commercialization. The development of differentiated small‑molecule therapies for ophthalmic diseases aligns with Kiora’s strategy to address unmet needs in retinal inflammation, positioning the company to capture a share of a growing market for non‑steroidal treatments.
Brian M. Strem, PhD, President and CEO of Kiora, said, “We believe DHODH inhibitors have significant potential to slow, stop or reverse inflammatory‑related vision loss, where steroids or other biologics are not providing appropriate benefit today.” The statement underscores the company’s confidence in the therapeutic promise of KIO‑104 and its broader pipeline.
In addition to KIO‑104, Kiora is developing KIO‑301, a molecular photoswitch aimed at treating retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, and Stargardt disease. The company’s portfolio of small‑molecule and photoswitch therapies illustrates its commitment to innovative, non‑biologic solutions for a range of ophthalmic disorders.
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