Oculis Holding AG revealed expanded development plans for its neuroprotective therapy Privosegtor (OCS-05) during its R&D Day held on April 15, 2025, in New York. The company announced two new programs utilizing Privosegtor beyond acute optic neuritis (AON) to include non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuritis (NAION) and acute treatment of relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
The Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company, which focuses on ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic diseases, presented an expanded analysis of the ACUITY Phase 2 trial data for Privosegtor, which previously demonstrated neuroprotective benefits in anatomical preservation of the retina and visual function improvements in AON patients.
"The positive results from our ACUITY trial have given us confidence to expand Privosegtor's development into additional indications where neuroprotection could provide significant clinical benefit," said a company representative during the event, which featured presentations from several world-renowned key opinion leaders in retina, inflammation, and neuro-ophthalmology.
Pipeline Progress Across Multiple Programs
Oculis also provided updates on its other late-stage clinical candidates. The company has completed enrollment of more than 800 patients in both Phase 3 DIAMOND trials of OCS-01 eye drops in diabetic macular edema (DME), with topline data anticipated in Q2 2026. OCS-01 utilizes Oculis' proprietary OPTIREACH® technology to deliver high-concentration dexamethasone as a non-invasive topical treatment for DME, potentially offering an alternative to current invasive delivery methods such as intravitreal injections.
Dr. Baruch D. Kuppermann from the University of California, Irvine and Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, commented, "A non-invasive topical treatment option for DME would represent a significant advancement in patient care, particularly for early-stage patients or as a combination therapy in later stages of the disease."
DME affects approximately 37 million people worldwide, with prevalence expected to increase to 53 million by 2040 due to the rising incidence of diabetes. As the leading cause of visual loss and legal blindness in diabetic patients, DME represents a significant unmet medical need despite current treatment options.
Precision Medicine Approach for Dry Eye Disease
For Licaminlimab (OCS-02), Oculis outlined a genotype-based development plan aimed at personalizing treatment for dry eye disease (DED). The company plans to initiate Phase 2/3 studies in the second half of 2025, leveraging a genetic biomarker identified in previous trials that showed improved response to Licaminlimab in patients with a variant in the TNFR1 gene.
"The heterogeneity of the dry eye patient population necessitates personalized treatment approaches," explained Dr. Anat Galor from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. "Targeting specific patient subgroups based on genetic markers could significantly improve outcomes in this underserved population."
DED affects more than 110 million people in G7 countries, including 40 million in the U.S. alone. Despite available treatments, 87% of chronic patients remain unsatisfied with current options, highlighting the substantial unmet need in this area.
Expanding Neuroprotective Applications
The most significant announcement came regarding Privosegtor (OCS-05), a novel peptidomimetic small molecule with potential to become a first-in-class neuroprotective therapy. Building on positive Phase 2 results in acute optic neuritis, Oculis is expanding development to include NAION, an orphan condition, and acute treatment of relapses in MS patients.
Dr. Leonard Levin from McGill University explained, "Neuroprotection represents a promising therapeutic approach across multiple neuro-ophthalmic conditions. The mechanism of action demonstrated by Privosegtor could potentially address the underlying neurodegeneration common to these disorders."
Acute optic neuritis, which affects up to 8 in 100,000 people worldwide, is characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve that can lead to permanent visual impairment. It often represents the first sign of multiple sclerosis and primarily affects adults between 20 and 40 years of age, with a higher prevalence in women. Currently, no specific neuroprotective therapy is approved for this condition.
Strategic Portfolio Prioritization
Oculis also outlined its portfolio prioritization strategy to drive value and maximize resources. The company, which is headquartered in Switzerland with operations in the U.S. and Iceland, is supported by leading international healthcare investors and led by an experienced management team.
"Our strategic approach focuses on advancing multiple innovative candidates addressing significant unmet needs in ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology," stated a company executive. "By prioritizing resources across our pipeline, we aim to maximize the potential impact for patients while creating value for our stakeholders."
The company will hold an additional investor meeting in Iceland on April 29, 2025, where management and ophthalmology experts will further discuss the late-stage pipeline developments presented at the New York R&D Day.
Market Potential and Future Outlook
With three innovative late-stage clinical candidates addressing distinct ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic conditions, Oculis is positioning itself to potentially transform treatment paradigms across multiple indications with significant unmet needs.
The expansion of Privosegtor into additional neurological indications highlights the potential broader applicability of neuroprotective therapies beyond the initial target indication. If successful, this approach could establish a new therapeutic class addressing the underlying neurodegeneration common to multiple conditions.
As the company advances its pipeline toward potential commercialization, the upcoming data readouts, particularly the Phase 3 DIAMOND trial results expected in Q2 2026, represent significant milestones that could validate Oculis' innovative approach to ophthalmic drug delivery and treatment.
