Tag: Ocugen

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

March 18, 2025

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• OCU200 has a very favorable safety and tolerability profile
• No serious adverse events related to the study drug have been reported
• Dosing of the second cohort has been approved

MALVERN, Pa., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (“Ocugen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases, today announced that the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the OCU200 clinical trial recently convened and reviewed safety data following dosing of the first cohort in the dose-escalation portion of the Phase 1 study and approved continuation of dosing in the second cohort. OCU200 is a novel fusion protein consisting of two human proteins, tumstatin and transferrin, with the potential to treat diabetic macular edema (DME).

“OCU200 is given intravitreally,” said Peter Chang, MD, FACS, Co-President and Partner of the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI). “No serious adverse events related to OCU200 have been reported to date.”

The OCU200 Phase 1 clinical trial is a multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation study to assess drug safety via intravitreal injection in three cohorts: low dose (0.025 mg), medium dose (0.05 mg), and high dose (0.1 mg). All subjects will receive two doses six weeks apart, and patients will be followed for up to 6 months.

“It is encouraging that we have successfully completed dosing in the low dose cohort for OCU200, a novel biologic that has a very favorable safety and tolerability profile,” said Dr. Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen. “There remains a considerable unmet medical need for the 30% to 40% of DME patients who do not respond to current anti-VEGF therapies. OCU200 holds the promise of potentially benefiting all DME, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) patients.”

Approximately 12 million people in the United States and 130 million people worldwide are affected by DME, DR, or wet AMD. Patients affected by them share common symptoms, such as blurriness in vision and progressive vision loss, as the diseases progress. The formation of fragile and leaky new blood vessels leads to fluid accumulation in and around the retina, causing damage to vision.

OCU200 has the potential to change the treatment landscape for DME, DR, and wet AMD with its unique mechanism of action, binding the active component—tumstatin—to integrin receptors on active endothelial cells that play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis.

OCU200 brings an innovative biologic candidate to Ocugen’s ophthalmology portfolio targeting blindness diseases. The Company intends to complete the Phase 1 OCU200 clinical trial in the second half of 2025 and to provide preliminary safety and efficacy updates throughout the year.

About OCU200

OCU200 is a recombinant fusion protein that consists of two parts connected by a linker: tumstatin, the active component, acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-VEGF agent by binding to integrin receptors; and transferrin, which targets the drug to the choroid and retina by binding transferrin receptors on endothelial cells. These features will potentially enable OCU200 to reduce the vascular permeability, inflammation, and neovascularization that drive the pathophysiology of DME, DR, and wet AMD at a significantly lower dose compared to currently approved therapies.

About Ocugen, Inc.

Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patients’ lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; the ability of OCU200 to perform in humans in a manner consistent with nonclinical or preclinical study data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

March 5, 2025

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Conference Call and Webcast Today at 8:30 a.m. ET

• Reached an alignment with FDA on Phase 2/3 pivotal confirmatory clinical trial for OCU410ST for Stargardt disease potentially expediting clinical development by two to three years
• Completed dosing in OCU410 Phase 2 ArMaDa clinical trial (N=51) for geographic atrophy (GA). Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) recently reviewed interim safety data from Phase 2. All subjects from multiple dose levels in Phase 2 to date demonstrated a very favorable safety and tolerability profile.
• Positive 2-year long-term data across multiple mutations of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) from the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of OCU400 demonstrated a durable and statistically significant (p=0.005) improvement in visual function (LLVA) in all evaluable treated subjects at two years when compared to untreated eyes
• OCU400 remains on track to meet 1H 2025 recruitment completion and potential BLA/MAA filings by mid-2026

MALVERN, Pa., March 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases, today reported fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results along with a general business update.

“Ongoing data from all three clinical programs, along with patient testimonials, continue to support the benefit of one-time treatment from our revolutionary modifier gene therapy platform—as we are seeing consistent stabilization or improvement in treated eyes while maintaining a favorable safety and tolerability profile,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Ocugen. “Throughout 2024, the Company continually advanced its clinical programs in line with enrollment and dosing timelines, and we will continue to drive the product pipeline forward in 2025.”

Recently, the Company announced it will proceed with a Phase 2/3 pivotal confirmatory clinical trial of OCU410ST for Stargardt disease after alignment with the FDA. This accelerated regulatory pathway for OCU410ST is driven by the incredible unmet medical need that exists for 100,000 Stargardt patients in the U.S. and Europe who have no treatment option available. Accelerating the clinical timeline of OCU410ST is expected to save significant costs in addressing disease burden even sooner than anticipated.

The OCU410ST Phase 2/3 clinical trial will randomize 51 subjects, 34 of whom will receive a single, subretinal, 200-μL injection of OCU410ST at a concentration of 1.5 x 10¹¹ vector genomes (vg)/mL in the eye with worse visual acuity, and 17 of whom will serve as untreated controls. One-year data will be utilized for the BLA filing planned for 2027. 6-month data from Phase 1 of the OCU410ST GARDian clinical trial demonstrated considerably slower lesion growth (52%) from baseline in treated eyes versus untreated fellow eyes and clinically meaningful 2-line (10-letter) improvement in visual function (BCVA), which is statistically significant (p=0.02) in treated eyes.

This week, the DSMB for the OCU410 ArMaDa clinical trial for GA convened and reviewed the safety and tolerability profile of an additional 15 subjects from the Phase 2 portion of the study. No serious adverse events related to OCU410 have been reported to date in all 60 subjects, including Phase 1. Unlike currently available treatments for GA, there were no cases of ischemic optic neuropathy, vasculitis, intraocular inflammation, endophthalmitis or choroidal neovascularization, and no adverse events of special interest.

Preliminary 9-month efficacy data of OCU410 in GA patients showed considerably slower lesion growth (44%) from baseline and clinically meaningful 2-line (10-letter) improvement in visual function (LLVA) in treated eyes compared to untreated eyes in the Phase 1 portion of the trial. Furthermore, a single subretinal OCU410 treatment preserves more retinal tissue around GA lesions of treated eyes at 9 months compared to published data on currently available GA therapies. GA, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration, affects 2-3 million people in the U.S. and Europe combined.

Two-year data from the Phase 1/2 OCU400 clinical trial for RP demonstrated a durable and statistically significant (p=0.005) improvement in visual function (LLVA) in all evaluable treated subjects when compared to untreated eyes. 100% (10/10) of treated evaluable subjects showed improvement or preservation in visual function compared to untreated eyes, and OCU400 was observed to have a favorable safety and tolerability profile in all subjects across multiple mutations.

In parallel with clinical milestones, considerable regulatory accomplishments were achieved, including orphan medicinal product designation (OMPD) from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for OCU410ST for the treatment of ABCA4-associated retinopathies including Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa 19 (RP19), and cone-rod dystrophy 3 (CORD), and positive opinions from the EMA’s Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) for OCU400, OCU410, and OCU410ST Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) classification.

Ocugen’s biologic candidate moved into the clinic and patients are currently being dosed in the OCU200 Phase 1 clinical trial for diabetic macular edema (DME). OCU200 has the potential to change the treatment landscape for DME, diabetic retinopathy, and wet age-related macular degeneration with its unique mechanism of action, binding the active component—tumstatin—to integrin receptors that play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis and holds the promise to benefit all DME patients, including the 30-40% of patients who do not respond to current anti-VEGF therapies.

“I am extremely proud of our team at Ocugen, who are working tirelessly to enroll patients across all four clinical programs in close collaboration with the study centers and investigators,” said Dr. Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen. “It is very gratifying to think about the potential unmet medical need that can be addressed through modifier therapy for patients who currently have no options and are facing the prospect of losing their vision altogether.”

Finally, the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for OCU500—the Company’s inhaled mucosal vaccine for COVID-19 was cleared by the FDA. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, is expected to sponsor and conduct the Phase 1 trial to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of OCU500 administered via two different routes, inhalation into the lungs and intranasally as a spray.

To extend the cash runway into the first quarter of 2026, and support Ocugen’s clinical trials, the Company secured $65 million in equity/debt financings in the second half of 2024. Further supporting Ocugen’s efforts to enable long-term shareholder value, garner significant visibility within the investment community, and broaden the shareholder base, the Company was included in the Russell Index in May 2024.

“Meaningful progress in 2024 and recent success with FDA brought us closer to our goal of three potential BLAs in the years—2026, 2027, 2028, encompassing RP, Stargardt and GA treatments, respectively,” said Dr. Musunuri. “While this is an ambitious goal, I am confident that we have the strategic and scientific expertise, and an unrelenting commitment to patients, to deliver on our commitment.”

Business Updates

Novel Modifier Gene Therapy Platform—Potentially Targeting Three BLA Filings in the Next Three Years

• OCU400 –The European Commission (EC) provided a positive opinion from the EMA’s CAT for OCU400 ATMP classification. Actively enrolling patients in the U.S. and Canada in the Phase 3 liMeliGhT clinical trial for the treatment of RP and are on track to complete enrollment in the first half of 2025 and file BLA and MAA submissions in mid-2026.
• OCU410ST –The EMA granted OMPD for OCU410ST for the treatment of ABCA4-associated retinopathies including Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa 19 (RP19), and cone-rod dystrophy 3 (CORD3). The FDA approved a Phase 2/3 pivotal confirmatory clinical trial for BLA filing. Plan to initiate the Phase 2/3 study mid-2025 and targeting BLA submission by 2027. The EC provided a positive opinion from the EMA’s CAT for OCU410ST ATMP classification.
• OCU410 – Completed dosing in Phase 2 of the OCU410 Phase 1/2 ArMaDa clinical trial ahead of schedule. Intend to complete 1-year follow up in the first quarter of 2026 and targeting a BLA filing in 2028. The EC provided a positive opinion from the EMA’s CAT for OCU410 ATMP classification.

Financial Results

• Fourth quarter — Research and development expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2024, were $8.3 million compared to $7.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2024, were $6.3 million compared to $5.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Ocugen reported a $0.05 net loss per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to a $0.04 net loss per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
• Full year — Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $32.1 million compared to $39.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $26.7 million compared to $32.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Ocugen reported a $0.20 net loss per common share for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a $0.26 net loss per common share for the year ended December 31, 2023.
• Ocugen’s cash and restricted cash, totaled $58.8 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $39.5 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company estimates that its current cash, cash equivalents, and investments will enable it to fund its operations into the first quarter of 2026. The Company had 291.4 million shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2024.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Ocugen has scheduled a conference call and webcast for 8:30 a.m. ET today to discuss the financial results and recent business highlights. Ocugen’s leadership team will host the call, which will be open to all listeners. There will also be a question-and-answer session following the prepared remarks.

Attendees are invited to participate on the call or webcast using the following details:

Dial-in Numbers: (800) 715-9871 for U.S. callers and (646) 307-1963 for international callers
Conference ID: 5045393
Webcast: Available on the events section of the Ocugen investor site

A replay of the call and archived webcast will be available for approximately 45 days following the event on the Ocugen investor site.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, strategy, business plans and objectives for Ocugen’s clinical programs, plans and timelines for the preclinical and clinical development of Ocugen’s product candidates, including the therapeutic potential, clinical benefits and safety and efficacy thereof, expectations regarding timing, success and data announcements of current ongoing preclinical and clinical trials, expected cash runway into the first quarter of 2026, the ability to initiate new clinical programs, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing and future clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our annual and periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com 

View Full Release Here.

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

March 3, 2025

MALVERN, Pa., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases, today announced that the European Commission has provided a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) for OCU410 and OCU410ST Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) classification. OCU410 is a novel, multifunctional modifier gene therapy candidate being developed for the treatment of patients with vision loss due to geographic atrophy (GA)—an advanced stage of dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD)—and OCU410ST is being developed for Stargardt disease due to ABCA4-related retinopathies.

GA affects 2-3 million people in the United States (U.S.) and Europe combined. There are two approved therapies in the U.S. that require frequent dosing (every month or every other month), however neither therapy has been approved in Europe. Stargardt disease affects 100,000 people in the U.S. and Europe combined, and there are no approved treatments available globally.

“Receiving ATMP classification for OCU410 and OCU410ST is a critical step to potentially address these severely unmet medical needs in the very near future,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of Ocugen. “Dosing of Phase 2 in the ongoing OCU410 ArMaDa clinical trial is complete, and we are on track to initiate the Phase 3 clinical trial next year to pursue potential Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) and Biologics License Application (BLA) filings in 2028. Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) endorsed Ocugen’s plan to move forward with a Phase 2/3 pivotal confirmatory clinical trial for OCU410ST, which can be the basis of BLA and potential MAA submissions in 2027.”

ATMP classification is granted to medicines that can offer groundbreaking opportunities for the treatment of disease and accelerates the regulatory review timeline of this potential one-time gene therapy for life. Additionally, this classification allows Ocugen to interact with EMA more frequently for scientific advice and protocol assistance.

Preliminary 9-month data of OCU410 in GA patients demonstrated considerably slower lesion growth (44%) from baseline and clinically meaningful 2-line (10-letter) improvement in visual function (LLVA) in treated eyes compared to untreated eyes in the Phase 1 portion of the trial. Furthermore, a single subretinal OCU410 treatment preserves more retinal tissue around GA lesions of treated eyes at 9 months compared to published data on currently available GA therapies.

6-month data from Phase 1 of the OCU410ST GARDian clinical trial demonstrated considerably slower lesion growth (52%) from baseline in treated eyes versus untreated fellow eyes and clinically meaningful 2-line (10-letter) improvement in visual function (BCVA), which is statistically significant (p=0.02) in treated eyes. The Company plans to initiate the Phase 2/3 pivotal confirmatory clinical trial for OCU410ST by mid-2025.

“The novel modifier gene in OCU410 and OCU410ST targets all four pathways linked with dAMD and Stargardt and is delivered through a single subretinal injection as a one-and-done treatment,” said Dr. Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen. “We are very pleased with the structural and functional outcomes demonstrated by both of these candidates, along with a stellar safety profile.”

OCU410 and OCU410ST utilize an adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform for the retinal delivery of the RORA (ROR Related Orphan Receptor A) gene. The RORA protein plays an important role in lipid metabolism, reducing lipofuscin deposits and oxidative stress, and demonstrates an anti-inflammatory role as well as inhibiting the complement system in both in vitro and in vivo (animal model) studies.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; the ability of OCU410 and OCU410ST to perform in humans in a manner consistent with nonclinical, preclinical or previous clinical study data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

February 27, 2025

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MALVERN, Pa., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases, today announced that alignment has been reached with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to move forward with a Phase 2/3 pivotal confirmatory clinical trial for OCU410ST which, if positive, can be the basis of a biologics license application (BLA) submission.

The GARDian trial for OCU410ST demonstrated:

• A favorable safety and tolerability profile with no serious adverse events related to OCU410ST, including no cases of ischemic optic neuropathy, vasculitis, intraocular inflammation, endophthalmitis or choroidal neovascularization and no adverse events of special interest
• Considerably slower lesion growth (52%) from baseline in treated eyes versus untreated fellow eyes at 6-month follow-up from the Phase 1 study
• Clinically meaningful 2-line (10-letter) improvement in visual function (BCVA) at 6-month follow-up from the Phase 1 study, which is statistically significant (p=0.02) in treated eyes

“I am very pleased that the FDA has recognized the promise of Ocugen’s modifier gene therapy for Stargardt disease and accelerated the regulatory pathway for OCU410ST,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of Ocugen. “This new development allows us to initiate a pivotal confirmatory trial for this game-changing, one-time treatment for life in the next few months and prepare for a potential BLA filing by 2027. Now patients suffering from Stargardt disease have a new hope where previously none existed. This achievement furthers our mission to cure blindness diseases.”

Stargardt disease affects 100,000 people in the U.S. and Europe combined, and there is no treatment. OCU410ST received orphan drug designations from the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

“Getting approval for a Phase 2/3 trial is a pivotal milestone, as this approach has never been explored in clinical trials for Stargardt disease. The FDA’s decision underscores the potential of OCU410ST to meet a critical unmet medical need for the approximately 44,000 Stargardt patients in the U.S.,” said Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS, Director, Duke Surgical Vitreoretinal Fellowship Program, Professor of Ophthalmology, Pediatrics and Biomedical Engineering with Tenure, Adult and Pediatric Vitreoretinal Surgery and Disease, Duke University Eye Center, and Retina Scientific Advisory Board Chair of Ocugen.

The Phase 2/3 clinical trial will randomize 51 subjects, 34 of whom will receive a single, subretinal, 200-μL injection of OCU410ST at a concentration of 1.5 x 10¹¹ vector genomes (vg)/mL in the eye with worse visual acuity, and 17 of whom will serve as untreated controls. The primary endpoint in the clinical trial is change in atrophic lesion size. Secondary endpoints include visual acuity as measured by best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and low luminance visual acuity (LLVA) compared to untreated controls. One-year data will be utilized for the BLA filing.

“This approval pathway, established in collaboration with the FDA, has made it possible to expedite the clinical development of OCU410ST by two to three years and has aided in bringing an innovative gene therapy to patients desperate for a treatment option,” said Dr. Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen. “Recent data from the OCU410ST clinical trial have shown significant improvements in both structural and functional outcomes. Additionally, OCU410ST has consistently demonstrated a very favorable safety and tolerability profile.”

Accelerating the clinical timeline of OCU410ST will save significant costs in addressing disease burden even sooner than anticipated.

About OCU410ST
OCU410ST utilizes an AAV delivery platform for the retinal delivery of the RORA (RAR-Related Orphan Receptor A) gene. It represents Ocugen’s modifier gene therapy approach, which is based on Nuclear Hormone Receptor (NHR) RORA that regulates pathophysiological pathways linked to Stargardt disease, such as lipofuscin formation, oxidative stress, complement formation, inflammation, and cell survival networks.

About Stargardt Disease
Stargardt disease is a genetic eye disorder that causes retinal degeneration and vision loss. Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration. The progressive vision loss associated with Stargardt disease is caused by the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the central portion of the retina called the macula.

Decreased central vision due to loss of photoreceptors in the macula is the hallmark of Stargardt disease. Some peripheral vision is usually preserved. Stargardt disease typically develops during childhood or adolescence, but the age of onset and rate of progression can vary. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a layer of cells supporting photoreceptors, is also affected in people with Stargardt disease.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; the ability of OCU410ST to perform in humans in a manner consistent with nonclinical, preclinical or previous clinical study data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

February 21, 2025

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MALVERN, Pa., Feb. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines, today announced that it will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results and provide a business update at 8:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Ocugen will issue a pre-market earnings announcement on the same day. Attendees are invited to participate on the call using the following details:

Dial-in Numbers: (800) 715-9871 for U.S. callers and (646) 307-1963 for international callers
Conference ID: 5045393
Webcast: Available on the events section of the Ocugen investor site.

A replay of the call and archived webcast will be available for approximately 45 days following the event on the Ocugen investor site.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com 

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

February 3, 2025

PDF Version

MALVERN, Pa., Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines, today announced that the European Commission has provided a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) for OCU400 Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) classification. OCU400 is the first gene therapy to enter Phase 3 with a broad retinitis pigmentosa (RP) indication.

“Receiving ATMP classification is another significant milestone toward bringing OCU400 to the market in Europe,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of Ocugen. “This designation makes it possible to stay on track with our clinical and commercial strategy and potentially provide this novel modifier gene therapy candidate to all RP patients in the United States (U.S.) and Europe by 2027.”

ATMP classification is granted to medicines that can offer groundbreaking opportunities for the treatment of disease and accelerates the regulatory review timeline of this potential one-time gene therapy for life. Additionally, this classification allows Ocugen to interact with EMA more frequently for scientific advice and protocol assistance as the Company pursues Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) filing in 2026.

Underscoring the vital need for gene-agnostic treatments for diseases with multiple mutations such as RP, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EMA have acknowledged that the ongoing single, pivotal Phase 3 trial of OCU400 can suffice for Biologics License Application (BLA)/MAA submissions. Ocugen intends to file simultaneously in the U.S. and Europe upon completion of the Phase 3 trial.

The Phase 3 OCU400 liMeliGhT clinical trial is currently enrolling. The study has a sample size of 150 participants—one arm of 75 participants with RHO gene mutations and the other arm with 75 participants that are gene agnostic. In each arm, participants will be randomized 2:1 to the treatment group (2.5 x 10¹⁰ vg/eye of OCU400) and untreated control group, respectively. Patients eight years of age and older, with early through late-stage advancement of RP, are being recruited to participate in the liMeliGhT study.

“We are encouraged by the EMA’s recognition of OCU400 as the Phase 3 liMeliGhT clinical trial advances,” said Dr. Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the EMA to address the unmet medical need that remains for nearly 98% of the RP patient population.”

RP affects nearly 310,000 patients in the U.S., EU, and Canada. Currently, RP is associated with mutations in more than 100 genes and there are no approved treatment options that slow or stop the progression of multiple forms of RP.

OCU400 is the Company’s gene-agnostic modifier gene therapy product based on NHR gene, NR2E3. NR2E3 regulates diverse physiological functions within the retina—such as photoreceptor development and maintenance, metabolism, phototransduction, inflammation and cell survival networks. Through its drive functionality, OCU400 resets altered/affected cellular gene networks and establishes homeostasis—a state of balance, which has the potential to improve retinal health and function in patients with inherited retinal diseases.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; the ability of OCU400 to perform in humans in a manner consistent with nonclinical, preclinical or previous clinical study data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

January 27, 2025

PDF Version

• OCU500 will be administered via inhalation and as a nasal spray
• COVID-19 remains a substantial public health threat in the U.S. and around the world
• Phase 1 clinical trial is anticipated to start in 2Q 2025

MALVERN, Pa., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (“Ocugen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the Company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application and it is in effect. This is a critical step toward the initiation of the Phase 1 clinical trial for OCU500—an inhaled mucosal vaccine for COVID-19. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, will sponsor and conduct the Phase 1 trial to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of OCU500 administered via two different routes, inhalation into the lungs and intranasally as a spray.

“We are grateful for our ongoing collaboration with NIAID and pleased to bring our novel vaccine technology into the clinic through Project NextGen,” said Mike Shine, Senior Vice President, Commercial at Ocugen. “COVID-19 remains a real public health concern, and an increasing number of studies are showing the benefit of mucosal vaccines that attack the virus where it enters the body—through the nose and mouth—to give better and longer protection. We look forward to this important next step in potentially providing a more durable and safer option to help prevent infection and transmission of COVID-19 regarding various variants of concern.”

Even though the pandemic has ended, COVID-19 still presents a significant burden in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that from October 1, 2024 to January 11, 2025, there were 4.4 to 7.9 million COVID infections, resulting in 120,000 to 210,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 to 25,000 deaths.

The Phase 1 trial would enroll 80 adult subjects aged 18 to 64 years. Forty (40) subjects would be assigned to the low-dose group, and 40 subjects would be assigned to the high-dose group. Within each group, 20 subjects would receive the inhalation form of the vaccine, and the other 20 subjects would receive the intranasal form. The primary aim of the study would be to determine safety, while secondary and exploratory endpoints include antibody production and the number of breakthrough COVID-19 infections.

OCU500 is based on a novel chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored (ChAd36) technology. Earlier clinical studies to prevent COVID-19 that employed a similar technology administered via inhalation demonstrated increased mucosal and systemic antibodies and a durable immune response up to one year using one-fifth the dose compared to the same vaccine administered intramuscularly. Ocugen intends to expand this mucosal platform to address other serious respiratory threats including seasonal influenza, bird flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The original ChAd36 vector that makes the Ocugen vaccine unique was licensed from Washington University in St. Louis.

“We are delighted to see the progress of the ChAd36 vector encoding a SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen that was originally designed and tested at Washington University in St. Louis,” said Dr. Michael Diamond, Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens at Washington University School of Medicine. “We believe this vector is ideal for mucosal administration and can be designed to carry COVID-19 strains as well as influenza and antigens from other respiratory viruses,” added Dr. David Curiel, Professor of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, co-collaborator on the vector design. 

Project NextGen is a $5 billion multi-government agency initiative to develop the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics to combat the spread of COVID-19. NIAID, with funding from Project NextGen, will cover the full cost of the Phase 1 clinical trial, including operations and related analysis. Ocugen is providing clinical trial materials and, upon completion, will have full right of reference to the findings, which Ocugen believes will provide clinical evidence to support the further development of the Company’s lead mucosal vaccine candidate.

“Ocugen further advanced the vector technology, enabling the incorporation of single/multiple antigens into a single vector. This innovation offers significant manufacturing flexibility in responding to emerging variants within one hundred days of identifying a circulating variant of concern,” said Dr. Arun Upadhyay, Chief Scientific Officer at Ocugen. “This vector technology, combined with mucosal delivery, has the potential to enable rapid development of respiratory vaccines in response to future outbreaks including bird flu.”

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; the ability of OCU500 to perform in humans in a manner consistent with nonclinical or preclinical study data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

January 16, 2025

PDF Version

MALVERN, Pa., Jan. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (“Ocugen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in the OCU200 Phase 1 clinical trial for diabetic macular edema (DME).

“OCU200 has the potential to change the treatment landscape for DME, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) with its unique mechanism of action, binding the active component—tumstatin—to integrin receptors that play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Ocugen. “OCU200 holds the promise to benefit all DME patients, including the 30-40% of patients who do not respond to current anti-VEGF therapies.”

The OCU200 Phase 1 clinical trial is a multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation study to assess drug safety via intravitreal injection in three cohorts: low dose (0.025 mg), medium dose (0.05 mg), and high dose (0.1 mg). All subjects will receive a total of two intravitreal injections of OCU200 six weeks apart. Patient follow-up will take place up to three months after the last injection.

Approximately 12 million people in the United States and 130 million people worldwide are affected by DME, DR or wet AMD. Patients affected by these diseases share common symptoms, such as blurriness in vision and progressive vision loss as the disease progresses. The formation of fragile and leaky new blood vessels leads to fluid accumulation in and around the retina, causing damage to vision.

“I am seeing an increasing rate of vision-threatening diseases associated with diabetes at my clinic and am eager to provide a new therapeutic option to these patients,” said Dr. David Almedia, Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Clinician Scientist, President and CEO of Erie Retina Research, and Founder and President of Case X Global in Erie, Pennsylvania. “There remains a considerable unmet medical need for DME and DR patients with currently available anti-VEGF treatments.”

OCU200 is a recombinant fusion protein that consists of two parts connected by a linker: tumstatin, the active component, acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-VEGF agent by binding to integrin receptors; and transferrin, which targets the drug to the choroid and retina by binding transferrin receptors on endothelial cells. These features will potentially enable OCU200 to reduce the vascular permeability, inflammation, and neovascularization that drive the pathophysiology of DME, DR, and wet AMD at a significantly lower dose compared to currently approved therapies.

“We are enthusiastic about getting patients started in the OCU200 Phase 1 clinical trial and sharing not only safety but preliminary efficacy data as the study progresses,” said Dr. Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen. “OCU200 brings an innovative biologic candidate to Ocugen’s ophthalmology portfolio targeting blindness diseases.”

The Company intends to pursue approval to use OCU200 as a first-line therapy for DME, DR, and wet AMD.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patients’ lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; the ability of OCU200 to perform in humans in a manner consistent with nonclinical or preclinical study data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

January 13, 2025

PDF Version

• 100% (9/9) of treated evaluable subjects demonstrated improvement or preservation in visual function compared to untreated eyes at both one and two years
• 100% (9/9) of treated evaluable subjects demonstrated improvement or stabilization in mobility testing, which was only performed up to one year
• Improvement in visual function was statistically significant (p=0.01, treated vs untreated eyes), regardless of mutation at two years
• Favorable long-term safety and tolerability profile with no serious adverse events related to OCU400

MALVERN, Pa., Jan. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (“Ocugen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines, today announced a positive 2-year safety and efficacy update for the Phase 1/2 OCU400 clinical trial. OCU400 is intended for the treatment of early to advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in pediatric and adult populations. Currently, about 2 million patients globally (~300,000 in U.S./EU) desperately need rescue, otherwise they can potentially become legally blind at some point in their life. OCU400 is intended to treat all these patients with a one-time therapy.

OCU400 demonstrated meaningful improvement of 2-line gain (10 letters on ETDRS chart) in low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA) in treated eyes when compared to untreated fellow eyes. This treatment effect was statistically significant (p=0.01) in all subjects, regardless of mutation at two years, validating the gene-agnostic mechanism of action for OCU400.

This data highlights the unique therapeutic potential of OCU400. To date, Ocugen’s groundbreaking modifier gene therapy platform provides long-term safety and meaningful improvements in visual function for patients suffering from RP—a condition that leads to progressive vision loss.

“We are thrilled to share these compelling results from the Phase 1/2 OCU400 trial,” said Shankar Musunuri, PhD, MBA, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Ocugen. “These findings represent a significant step forward in our mission to bring life-changing therapies to patients with inherited retinal disorders and confirm the transformative potential of our modifier gene therapy platform.”

“It is truly remarkable to see the significant improvements in visual acuity in patients treated with OCU400 sustained at two years,” said Syed M. Shah, MD, FACS, Vice Chair for Research and Digital Medicine, Director of Retina Service at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin. “The broad spectrum of genes and mutations causing RP presents a unique challenge in developing treatments for this unmet need. This is where the promise of mutation-agnostic therapies becomes particularly compelling. OCU400’s demonstrated effectiveness across multiple mutations not only offers hope to RP patients but also opens new possibilities for treating other retinal diseases.”

“Establishing the long-term safety and efficacy of OCU400 demonstrates the durability of this novel gene therapy,” said Huma Qamar, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen. “These 2 year low light visual acuity (LLVA) findings, which are the most sensitive measure of visual function, are consistent with the results observed at one year.”

The Phase 3 OCU400 liMeliGhT clinical trial is currently ongoing and on target for BLA submission in the first half of 2026.

About OCU400
OCU400 is the Company’s modifier gene therapy product based on a nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) gene called NR2E3. This gene regulates diverse physiological functions within the retina, such as photoreceptor development and maintenance, metabolism, phototransduction, inflammation, and cell survival. Retinal cells in RP patients have a dysfunctional gene network, and OCU400 resets this network to reestablish a healthy cellular homeostasis—which has the potential to improve vision in patients with RP.

About Modifier Gene Therapy
Modifier gene therapy is designed to fulfill unmet medical needs related to retinal diseases, including IRDs, such as RP and Stargardt disease, as well as multifactorial diseases like dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD). Our modifier gene therapy platform is based on the use of NHRs, master gene regulators, which have the potential to restore homeostasis—the basic biological processes in the retina. Unlike single-gene replacement therapies, which only target one genetic mutation, we believe that our modifier gene therapy platform, through its use of NHRs, represents a novel approach that has the potential to address multiple retinal diseases caused by mutations in multiple genes with one product, and to address complex diseases that are potentially caused by imbalances in multiple gene networks. Currently, Ocugen has three modifier gene therapy programs in the clinic: OCU400, OCU410, and OCU410ST. In addition to the OCU400 Phase 3 liMeliGhT clinical trial, the OCU410 Phase 1/2 ArMaDa clinical trial for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dAMD and the OCU410ST Phase 1/2 GARDian clinical trial for Stargardt disease are currently underway. GA affects approximately two to three million people in the U.S. and EU combined, and Stargardt disease affects nearly 100,000 people in the U.S. and EU combined.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patients’ lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; the ability of OCU400 to perform in humans in a manner consistent with nonclinical, preclinical or previous clinical study data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
Head of Corporate Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com