KALA BIO, Inc. Advances Clinical And Preclinical Programs In Ocular Disease Treatment
$KALA
Kala Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:KALA), a biopharmaceutical company, specializes in the development of therapies for diseases with significant unmet medical needs, focusing primarily on eye diseases. Established in 2009 and headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, Kala Pharmaceuticals has carved a niche in the ophthalmology market. The company’s innovative technology platform, known for enhancing the penetration of drugs into ocular tissues, has positioned it as a notable player in the industry, particularly in the treatment of eye inflammation and pain post-surgery.
KALA BIO, Inc. continues to make significant strides in the development of innovative therapies for rare and severe diseases of the eye. The organization’s commitment to advancing its research and development initiatives is evident through recent updates on its clinical and preclinical activities. The enterprise recently announced the ongoing enrollment in the CHASE Phase 2b clinical trial of its lead product candidate, KPI-012, for the treatment of Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect (PCED). This trial is crucial as it aims to gather topline safety and efficacy data expected in the second half of 2024. PCED is a persistent, non-healing corneal defect that, if left untreated, can lead to severe complications, including significant infection and vision loss.
The positive outcome of this trial could potentially lead to a Biologics License Application (BLA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to the CHASE trial, KALA BIO is actively exploring the expansion of KPI-012 into other rare corneal diseases such as Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. This expansion is part of the organization’s broader strategy to leverage its proprietary mesenchymal stem cell secretome (MSC-S) platform, which combines growth factors, protease inhibitors, matrix proteins and neurotrophic factors. These components are crucial for potentially correcting the impaired corneal healing that underlies multiple severe ocular diseases. Moreover, the enterprise has initiated preclinical studies for another promising candidate, KPI-014, targeting inherited retinal degenerative diseases like Retinitis Pigmentosa and Stargardt Disease.
These studies are part of the commitment to addressing back-of-the-eye conditions that currently have limited treatment options. Financially, KALA BIO reported a cash position of $56.1 million as of September 30, 2023. This funding, along with anticipated remaining funding under the CIRM award, is expected to support the company’s operations into the second quarter of 2025. This financial stability is crucial as the company continues to invest in its research and development efforts. The organization’s strategic initiatives and ongoing clinical advancements underscore its dedication to addressing unmet medical needs in the field of ophthalmology. By focusing on both front- and back-of-the-eye diseases, the firm aims to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from these debilitating conditions.
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