Oculis is a global biopharmaceutical company (Nasdaq: OCS) purposefully driven to save sight and improve eye care. Oculis’ highly differentiated pipeline comprises multiple innovative product candidates in development. It includes OCS-01, a topical eye drop candidate for diabetic macular edema (DME) and for the treatment of inflammation and pain following cataract surgery; OCS-02, a topical biologic anti-TNFα eye drop candidate for dry eye disease (DED) and for non-infectious anterior uveitis; and OCS-05, a disease modifying candidate for acute optic neuritis (AON) and other neuro-ophthalmic disorders such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, geographic atrophy, and neurotrophic keratitis. Headquartered in Switzerland and with operations in the US, Oculis’ goal is to deliver life-changing treatments to patients worldwide. The company is led by an experienced management team with a successful track record and is supported by leading international healthcare investors.
OUR HISTORY
2016
Oculis’ history started in Iceland where an academic research collaboration was initiated between leading ophthalmologist Prof. Einar Stefánsson, and leading pharmacist and chemist Prof. Thorsteinn Loftsson (Oculis’ co-founders). By 2016, the co-founders had achieved animal proof-of-concept for the OPTIREACH® formulation technology and completed exploratory studies in humans.
2017
Following this achievement and given the potential of the OPTIREACH® formulation technology to solve medical needs in ophthalmology, Oculis was incorporated in Switzerland on December 11, 2017 with the support of private investors to further advance the development of its first clinical-stage asset, OCS-01, and broaden its portfolio.
2018
By the end of 2018, Oculis had advanced the development of OCS-01 and had signed an agreement with Novartis to in-license a biologic eye drop clinical-stage candidate to further diversify its pipeline. Oculis is currently developing OCS-02 for ocular inflammation disorders such as DED and Non-Infectious Anterior Uveitis.
2019
By the end of 2019, the key efficacy endpoints of central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were met in the DX-211 Phase 2 clinical study evaluating topical OCS-01 eye drop in the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).
2020
Early in 2020, OCS-01 had met the primary endpoint and key secondary endpoints in the Phase 2 SKYGGN study evaluating once daily OCS-01 eye drop in the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Later that year, Oculis had an affirming end-of-phase 2 meeting with the US FDA which enabled OCS-01 to advance to phase 3 in both indications: DME and for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery.
2021
In 2021, Oculis initiated its first phase 3 trial, the DIAMOND study, to confirm previous findings in a larger patient population with DME. The DIAMOND study is a two-stage adaptive design study with results of stage 1 expected later in 2023.
2022
At the beginning of 2022, Oculis in-licensed OCS-05, a potential disease modifying candidate. OCS-05 is currently in a proof-of-concept trial in France for the treatment of Acute Optic Neuritis and in parallel, Oculis is pursuing IND status with the US FDA. Later in 2022, Oculis announced dosing of patients in Phase 3 OPTIMIZE trial of OCS-01 in the treatment of inflammation and pain following cataract surgery with once daily administration.
2023
In March 2023, Oculis became a public company with its listing on NASDAQ (ticker: OCS) and is now a late-stage global biopharmaceutical company with a differentiated & innovative pipeline aiming to address key medical need in ocular diseases.
CORPORATE VALUES
At Oculis, our culture is deeply rooted in everything we do. It is our foundation, the reflection of our own beliefs, it guides our decisions and motivates our behaviors.
PATIENT CENTRICITY
“We are patient centric
in everything we do”
Striving to find, develop and provide innovative, efficacious and safe solutions to save sight and improve eye care for patients worldwide
INTEGRITY
“We build trust
by acting with integrity”
Being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral, values, and ethical principles
PEOPLE ORIENTED
“We value the expertise & power of our diverse team”
Leveraging the right expertise, the power of our diverse team (incl. our collaborators), and our culture to fulfill our mission, vision and goals
ACCOUNTABILITY
“We prioritize what matters the most and take ownership”
Embracing responsibilities, honoring commitments and being accountable for Oculis’ success