Kiora Pharmaceuticals receives patent for KIO-104

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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, age-related macular degeneration, and complications as a result of refractive surgery. Along with other novel treatment methods for ocular inflammatory diseases, the patent (US Patent No. 12,364,680) also covers varying dosing schedules and necessary excipients.¹

“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:

1. 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