• The study met its pre-specified efficacy endpoints and showed that OCS-01 eye drops were more effective than vehicle in reducing central macular thickness and improving visual acuity in patients with DME

• No significant unanticipated ocular adverse events were observed

• Phase 3 trial for OCS-01 in DME is in preparation following positive End-of-Phase 2 meeting with FDA

• Results were presented by renowned retina specialist Prof. Ramin Tadayoni, M.D., Ph.D.

• Mean CMT showed a greater decrease from baseline in the OCS-01 group than the vehicle arm at week 12 ( -53.6 μm vs -16.8 μm, p=0.0115).

• Mean change in ETDRS BCVA letter score from baseline to week 12 was higher in the OCS-01 group than the vehicle group (+2.62 letters vs +1.04 letters, p= 0.125).

• P values met the pre-specified criteria in the protocol for statistical superiority of OCS-01 vs vehicle.

• Ocular tolerability was not significantly different between the OCS-01 and vehicle groups with the exception of change in intraocular pressure (IOP).

• IOP increases were more common with OCS-01 than vehicle during the treatment period consistent with known effects of topical steroids, including dexamethasone.

A subanalysis was done to look at efficacy in patients likely to be prescribed treatment and more representative of other Phase 3 trials conducted in DME. In this patient subgroup with baseline BCVA equal or worse than 65 letters, patients treated with OCS-01 showed a greater gain (3.8 letters) as compared to vehicle (0.9 letters) and a greater CMT reduction vs baseline with OCS-01 (-77.4 μm) versus vehicle (-23.1 μm) at week 12.

Since first reporting these data in February 2020 at Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration 2020 Conference, Oculis has announced positive Phase 2 results for OCS-01 in the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. The Company has also successfully completed an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for OCS-01 and is currently planning Phase 3 trials for both indications, which are expected to begin in the first half of 2021.

The positive results were presented in a Late Breaking & Reviews session entitled “Oculis OCS-01 Phase 2 Study Results: A Topical Therapeutic for DME” by Ramin Tadayoni, M.D., Ph.D., renowned professor and ophthalmologist in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases, retinovitreal surgery and ophthalmic imaging. Prof. Tadayoni is also a member of Oculis’ Scientific Advisory Board.

Ramin Tadayoni, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Paris and Head of the department of Ophthalmology at Lariboisière University Hospital (Paris, France), commented: “The results of this clinical study clearly show that OCS-01 treatment has a clinical benefit in DME patients and is well tolerated. The fact that a topical treatment can improve the vision of DME patients as well as reduce inflammation of the retina is remarkable. If these results are confirmed in the planned Phase 3 trial, then OCS-01 could be transformational for DME patients, potentially making treatment more accessible and improving longer-term disease management, particularly for those at the early stages where a watch-and-wait strategy is currently employed. I look forward to the Phase 3 trial and hope that it can be swiftly and successfully completed.”

Riad Sherif, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Oculis, said: “The positive clinical results with OCS-01 for treating DME and for treating inflammation and pain following ocular surgery, as well as the subsequent progress we have made during 2020, have been extremely gratifying. We believe these data clearly highlight the potential of this topical drug to be a truly innovative, non-invasive approach that would be welcomed by physicians and patients alike. We are fully committed to our mission to improve the sight and lives of patients through the development of transformative topical ophthalmic treatments using our innovative formulation technologies, and believe we have an exciting future ahead.”

Additional abbreviations:
SD-OCT – Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
ETDRS – Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study

The European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) was established over 20 years ago and hosts the leading annual European retinal congress which now attracts over 5,000 vitreoretinal and macular specialists. https://www.euretina.org/

About Oculis

Oculis S.A. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing transformative topical ophthalmic treatments using its innovative formulation technologies to improve the sight and lives of patients.

Oculis’ novel topical (eye drop) treatments are non-invasive and represent an unprecedented technical advance for patients with retinal and front-of-the-eye diseases.

The Company’s leading clinical candidates include OCS-01 and OCS-02:

• OCS-01 is a novel, high concentration, preservative free, topical formulation of dexamethasone based on Oculis’ proprietary Solubilizing Nanoparticle (SNP) technology. OCS-01 is moving to Phase 3 in two indications – Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and post-ocular surgery – following a positive End-of-Phase 2 meeting with FDA. OCS-01 has the potential to provide the first non-invasive topical treatment option for DME patients and the first once a day, preservative free steroid for inflammation and pain following ocular surgery.

• OCS-02 is a novel topical anti-TNF alpha antibody. It has successfully completed two proof-of-concept clinical trials in Acute Anterior Uveitis and in Dry Eye Disease and is progressing into Phase 2b. In Uveitis, the goal is to evaluate OCS-02 as a steroid-sparing maintenance treatment for Chronic Anterior Uveitis. In Dry Eye Disease, Oculis will be investigating the potential of the biomarker method identified and response in the PoC study. This novel predictive method would allow OCS-02 to drive, for the first time, personalized medicine in Dry Eye Disease.

In addition, Oculis’ formulation discovery focus and capabilities are enabling the development of a pipeline of topical drugs targeting sight-threatening eye diseases that affect both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.

Oculis has an experienced management team from global ophthalmic companies and is supported by leading international life science investors. Oculis is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, with research operations in Iceland and U.S. operations in Boston, MA.

To learn more visit www.oculis.com

Contacts

Oculis

Dr. Riad Sherif, CEO
riad.sherif@oculis.com

Louie-Anne Gauthier, VP Strategic Marketing, BD&L
louie-anne.gauthier@oculis.com

Investor Relations

Burns McClellan
John Grimaldi
212-213-0006 x362
jgrimaldi@burnsmc.com

Media relations

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Mark Swallow / Sylvie Berrebi
oculis@citigatedewerogerson.com
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