First Patient Enrolled in LYNX-2 Phase 3 Study Evaluating Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% (PS) for the Treatment of Decreased Visual Acuity Under Low Light Conditions Following Keratorefractive Surgery

LYNX-2 Follows SPA Agreement with FDA

Development of PS is Funded by Ocuphire’s Partner Viatris

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., April 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCUP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for the treatment of unmet needs of patients with retinal and refractive eye disorders, today announced the enrollment of the first subject in the LYNX-2 Phase 3 registration study evaluating Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% (PS) for the treatment of decreased visual acuity under low (mesopic) light conditions following keratorefractive surgery.

The LYNX-2 trial is being conducted under conditions of a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As previously announced, Ocuphire received written agreement from the FDA that the clinical trial protocol and planned statistical analysis of the LYNX-2 Phase 3 trial would adequately address objectives supporting regulatory submission and a potential future marketing application in this indication.

“We are pleased to begin enrollment in the LYNX-2 study of PS,” said George Magrath, M.D., M.B.A., M.S., CEO of Ocuphire. “If our registration program meets expectations, and PS is subsequently approved by the FDA, it could potentially be the first commercial treatment for patients who have undergone LASIK surgery and experience low light visual disturbances. We believe that PS is a product with broad potential applications in ophthalmology. Having already received approval for RYZUMVI™ to treat pharmacologically-induced mydriasis, our partner Viatris, Inc. (Viatris) now has the opportunity to create further value as it pursues additional indications for PS, which also include presbyopia.”

Vision disturbances under low light conditions are characterized by peripheral corneal imperfections (aberrations) that result in unfocused light when the pupil dilates under low light conditions. Patients experience decreased low contrast visual acuity as well as glare, halos and starbursts. Patients undergoing keratorefractive surgery (including LASIK, PRK, SMILE, and RK) have been identified as one of the major sub-populations affected, the others being those who have night myopia (naturally occurring), non-central cortical cataracts, keratoconus or post-multifocal or extended depth of focus intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for visual disturbances under low light conditions. With a mechanism of action that moderately reduces pupil size without the increased risks of retinal tears or detachment associated with parasympathomimetic miotics that engage the ciliary muscle, PS eye drops have the potential to be a treatment option that could improve patients’ ability to see and function in low light. The previous LYNX-1 Phase 3 study evaluating PS successfully met its primary endpoint, with 13% of subjects gaining 15 or more ETDRS letters of mesopic low contrast distance visual acuity at Day 8 vs. 3% on placebo (p