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Writer's pictureKeith Ward

Kuria Therapeutics Achieves Preclinical Proof-of-Concept for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

- Expands development pipeline with planned Phase 2 clinical trial for dry AMD


Kuria Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company developing a platform of novel Nrf2 activators for ophthalmic disease, today provided a program update announcing positive preclinical proof-of-concept data for its lead molecule in models of age-related macular degeneration.

Kuria is developing SCO-116, a novel, patented, Nrf2 activator, under a license from SCOHIA PHARMA (https://www.scohia.com/eng/). Kuria has previously announced its ongoing development efforts for SCO-116 for corneal diseases, including treatment of patients with Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy and patients undergoing cataract surgery. In addition to corneal disease, strong scientific rationale exists for the role of Nrf2 activation in retinal disorders. The visual process in the retina requires a constant production of energy and detoxification of byproducts of photoreceptor turnover, and diseases of the aging retina, including macular degeneration, have been associated with dysfunction of these processes. Nrf2 activation has been demonstrated in preclinical models to effectively intervene in these disease states, and represents a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention.

Kuria has now demonstrated preclinical proof-of-concept for SCO-116 in preclinical models relevant to retinal disease, including:

  • Improved mitochondrial function (energy production) in human fibroblasts in vitro

  • Protection of human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro from A2E/blue light insult

  • Efficacy in a "gold-standard" in vivo model of dry age-related macular degeneration (sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration)

Based on these new data, Kuria has today announced the expansion of its clinical development plans to include retinal disease. Kuria intends to conduct a Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept study in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration, to be completed in parallel with its planned Phase 2 clinical studies in patients with corneal disease. “We are excited to announce this expansion of our Nrf2 platform into key diseases of the aging retina,” stated Dr. Keith Ward, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kuria. “Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have long been associated with vision loss in patients with macular degeneration, and the scientific literature is clear that Nrf2 activation is a promising approach to addressing this major unmet medical need. Our preclinical proof-of-concept data for our lead product candidate support this hypothesis, and we look forward to sharing details of these studies with the scientific community at a future conference.”

About Kuria Therapeutics, Inc.: Kuria Therapeutics, Inc. is a US-based pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of novel therapeutics for ophthalmic disease. We are a team of seasoned life science executives and entrepreneurs with decades of experience in building biotechnology companies, running complex multi-national development programs, managing alliances with partners, and building relationships with clinicians, investors, vendors, and patient groups. For more information, visit www.kuriatx.com.


Contacts Investor Relations and Media Kuria Therapeutics: Corporate Communication info@kuriatx.com

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