Kiora reports Q2 2026 results, advances KIO-301 and KIO-104 trials

Kiora Pharmaceuticals reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 and gave an update on its retinal disease pipeline on August 7, 2026.

The company said it advanced enrollment in the Phase 2 ABACUS-2 clinical trial of KIO-301 into the higher-dose cohort and continued enrollment in the higher-dose cohort of the Phase 2 KLARITY clinical trial of KIO-104¹. CEO Brian Strem described ABACUS-2 as a randomized, double-masked, controlled Phase 2 trial evaluating KIO-301 in patients with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa¹. Kiora said that after the first patients are dosed at the higher level, an independent, predefined safety review will take place before the rest of the cohort is enrolled¹. The company reiterated its timeline, saying it expects the last patient's first visit in the first quarter of 2027, with topline data in the third quarter of 2027¹. Kiora also noted that it is responsible for running ABACUS-2, with development costs fully reimbursed under its collaboration with Théa Open Innovation, which holds exclusive U.S. and European rights along with rights in other select countries outside Asia¹.

For KIO-104, a non-steroidal, small-molecule DHODH inhibitor designed for local intravitreal administration¹, Kiora said the drug has been well tolerated based on safety information available to date¹ and that it expects to report initial clinical data in late 2026¹.

On finances, Kiora said it ended the quarter with approximately $16.8 million in cash and short-term investments, providing an expected operating runway into late 2028¹, and separately reported $16.8 million in cash and short-term investments at quarter end, up from $13.9 million at March 31, 2026¹. The company also disclosed it secured a private placement for up to $24.0 million in gross proceeds, including $5.0 million received upfront, with the rest contingent on exercise of near-term milestone-based warrants¹.