painReform Ltd. announced, through its pharmaceutical division, the commencement of its development plan for OcuRing??-K, LayerBio's patented, drop-less, intraoperatively administered sustained-release ocular therapy designed to deliver controlled, site-specific release of ketorolac following cataract surgery. Following the closing of PainReform's majority investment in LayerBio and the integration of OcuRing-K into PainReform's development portfolio, the Company conducted a methodical internal assessment with LayerBio's management team to define development priorities and establish a clear path for advancing the program. Work is now progressing toward the Phase II clinical trial.
OcuRing-K is an erodible, intraoperatively administered sustained the device designed to provide extended and consistent intraocular therapeutic levels of an NSAID (non-steroidal, non-opiate, anti-inflammatory angesic). By removing the need for patient-administered drops, OcuRing-K also reduces contamination risks, such as inadvertent contact between dropper bottles and ocular tissues. Preclinical studies and a Phase I clinical evaluation demonstrated reductions in post-surgical pain and inflammation while using significantly lower total drug exposure than standard eye-drop regimens.
The sustained-release kinetics of OcuRing-K maintained therapeutic levels over time, supporting the potential for improved ocular safety, reduced systemic side effects associated with high-volume topical dosing, and enhanced patient compliance, particularly among elderly populations. LayerBio's sustained-release platform also supports delivery of a wide range of other ocular therapeutics--including NSAIDs, antibiotics, steroids, and anti-VEGF agents--aligning with PainReform's plans to explore additional ophthalmic indications following the development of OcuRing-K.
