Kiora Pharmaceuticals and Senju Pharmaceutical partner on KIO-301 for retinal disease treatment in Asia

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Kiora Pharmaceuticals has granted Senju Pharmaceutical an exclusive option to exercise rights to an exclusive development and commercialization agreement for KIO-301 for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Areas covered by the agreement would cover key Asian marketplaces, including Japan and China.

According to the company, under the terms of the agreement, Senju has a defined period to enter into an exclusive development and commercialization agreement beginning after topline data from the ongoing ABACUS-2 phase 2 clinical trial is reported. The company notes this structure allows for Senju to collaborate with Théa Open Innovation, Kiora's exclusive global development and commercialization partner for KIO-301 outside of Asia.

Kiora and Théa Open Innovation, a sister company of the global ophthalmic specialty company Laboratoires Théa, entered into the worldwide agreement at the beginning of 2024. Under the terms of that agreement, Kiora received an upfront payment of $16 million. Additionally, Kiora can receive up to $285 million upon achievement of pre-specified clinical development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties of up to a low 20% on net sales and reimbursement of KIO-301 research and development expenses.

The key terms and conditions of the exclusive development and commercialization agreement have been agreed to, subject to Senju exercising its option, according to a press release from Kiora. Under the development agreement, Senju would be responsible for all development, regulatory, and commercial activities in the licensed territory.

Shuhei Yoshida, president of Senju, commented on the partnership in a press release, saying, "Like elsewhere in the world, patients in Asia with inherited retinal diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, have no therapeutic options to slow their disease progression nor restore what has already been lost. KIO-301 is a very promising, novel therapeutic with the potential to give vision back to affected individuals."

KIO-301 is currently in a phase 2 clinical trial, ABACUS-2, a multi-center, double-masked, randomized, controlled, multi-dose study in 36 patients with ultra-low vision or no light perception due to retinitis pigmentosa. KIO-302 is a small molecule, referred to as a "molecular photoswitch” by the company, designed to confer light-sensing capabilities to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). It does so by entering these RGCs and, when activated by light, allows them to send signals to the brain, aiming to restore visual function.

According to Kiora, under the combined relationships with Théa in 2024 and the new relationship with Senju, the total potential value of strategic partnerships exceeds $400 million.

References:

1. Kiora Pharmaceuticals and Senju Pharmaceutical partner on KIO-301 for the treatment of retinal diseases in Asia. Published June 3, 2025. Accessed June 3, 2025. https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254262/Kiora-Pharmaceuticals-and-Senju-Pharmaceutical-Partner-on-KIO301-for-the-Treatment-of-Retinal-Diseases-in-Asia

2. Hutton D. Kiora Pharmaceuticals announces strategic partnership with Théa Open Innovation. Published February 2, 2024. Accessed June 3, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/kiora-pharmaceuticals-announces-strategic-partnership-with-th-a-open-innovation