
Kiora Pharmaceuticals Secures US Patent for KIO-104
Key Takeaways
- KIO-104 targets ocular diseases, including inflammation, uveitis, and AMD, with a novel mechanism inhibiting DHODH.
- The patent covers KIO-104's structure, delivery, formulation, and therapeutic applications, enhancing IP protection.
KIO-104 is for the treatment of a wide range of ocular diseases, including ocular inflammation, uveitis, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and complications as a result of refractive surgery.
Kiora Pharmaceuticals recently announced the receipt of a patent for the company’s ocular therapy KIO-104.1 KIO-104 is for the treatment of a wide range of ocular diseases, including ocular inflammation, uveitis,
“Securing this patent builds on our IP strategy to protect KIO-104 around its proprietary structure, delivery methods, formulation, and therapeutic applications,” Brian M. Strem, PhD, president and CEO of Kiora, said in a press release. “This specific patent is significant in its breadth of therapeutic applications.”
A small molecule in development for inflammatory retinal diseases, KIO-104 offers an alternative treatment method to steroids or systemic anti-inflammatory drugs. It works by inhibiting the mitochondrial enzyme DHODH, which plays a key role in the synthesis of key building blocks of both DNA and RNA.
The KLARITY study, a multicenter phase 2 clinical trial, is currently screening patients to evaluate the role of KIO-104 in up to 28 patients at two dose levels across various forms of inflammatory retinal diseases.1 The results from the initial stage study will inform dose expansion.
The patent issuance is expected to further strengthen the protection of KIO-104 and extend market exclusivity into 2043, the company said in a press release.
Reference:
Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Published July 22, 2025. Accessed July 23, 2025.
https://ir.kiorapharma.com/news-events/news-releases/detail/235/kiora-pharmaceuticals-granted-u-s-patent-expanding-protection-for-kio-104-in-the-treatment-of-ocular-disease
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