Pioneering Treatments for Eye Diseases Amid Clinical and Financial Developments**
KALA BIO, Inc. a biopharmaceutical entity in the clinical stage, has recently disclosed advancements in its clinical trials, alongside a financial synopsis for the third quarter concluding on September 30, 2023. The organization is at the forefront of developing innovative therapies for rare and severe ocular conditions, centering on the progression of its CHASE Phase 2b clinical trial and the evolution of its MSC-S pipeline.
The company’s principal product candidate, KPI-012, is undergoing a Phase 2b clinical trial, termed CHASE, which evaluates the treatment’s safety and effectiveness for Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect (PCED). PCED is a disorder characterized by the cornea’s inability to heal properly, which can lead to serious complications such as infections, scarring, and loss of vision. The CHASE trial is currently recruiting participants, and the company anticipates releasing preliminary data in the second half of 2024. Favorable outcomes from this trial could be instrumental in seeking a Biologics License Application with the US Food and Drug Administration.
KPI-012 is a key component of the company’s mesenchymal stem cell secretome (MSC-S) program, which utilizes a diverse array of growth factors, protease inhibitors, matrix proteins, and neurotrophic factors. This comprehensive strategy is designed to amend defective corneal healing processes, which are often at the root of various severe eye diseases. The MSC-S program is under evaluation for its potential to address a spectrum of rare ocular diseases that affect both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.
In its pursuit of therapeutic innovation, the company is also investigating the application of KPI-012 for other anterior eye diseases, such as Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. Additionally, KALA has embarked on preclinical studies for KPI-014, which targets inherited retinal degenerative diseases, including Retinitis Pigmentosa and Stargardt Disease.
Financially, the company has reported a balance of $56.1 million in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2023. This amount shows a decrease from the $70.5 million recorded at the end of the preceding year. The decline in cash reserves is ascribed to operational expenses, milestone disburse
