Oculis Says Phase 2 Biomarker Data Show Privosegtor Curbed Nerve Injury Markers in Optic Neuritis

Oculis Holding AG (OCS) said new biomarker analyses from its Phase 2 ACUITY trial showed privosegtor reduced increases in blood markers of nerve injury and inflammation versus placebo in patients with optic neuritis. The findings were presented at the 10th Joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS Meeting, held October 21-23 in Toronto. At Day 5, increases in plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were greater with placebo than with privosegtor. NfL levels stayed stable with privosegtor through Month 6, while placebo levels remained elevated at Month 1 before returning to baseline by Month 6. GFAP levels stayed below baseline with privosegtor from Month 1 through Month 6, versus elevated levels with placebo over the same period. Oculis said the data complement previously reported retinal preservation and an 18-letter improvement in low-contrast visual acuity at Month 3 versus steroids alone. Privosegtor, an investigational small-molecule drug that crosses the blood-brain and retinal barriers, is being evaluated in the PIONEER program, including two registrational trials in optic neuritis and one in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. OCS closed Wednesday at $7.87, up 5.07%; shares fell 1.40% to $7.76 in overnight trading.