23rd Jan 2019 11:12
LONDON (Alliance News) - OKYO Pharma Ltd on Wednesday said preclinical studies of non-opioid painkiller BAM8 are expected to complete within the second quarter of 2019.
Shares in the life sciences and biotechnology firm were up 20% at 1.68 pence on Wednesday.
BMA8 was developed from BMA, or bovine adrenal medulla peptides, which are painkillers secreted into the adrenal gland.
Currently, BMA8 is being studied as a treatment for ocular and uveitis associated pain. Uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.
OKYO said preclinical studies, once complete, will support an investigational new drug application so that it can be clinically trialled in the US.
OKYO also believes BMA8 has potential for development as a treatment for neuropathic chronic pain.
The company is also developing its lead molecule, OKYO 0101, which it thinks has "therapeutic potential" in treating dry eye disease, uveitis, and ocular pain. OKYO is targeting investigational new drug submission for the drug by the first quarter of 2020.
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