OKYO Pharma Business Summary

OKYO Pharma Ltd is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of first-in-class therapeutics for untreated ocular surface diseases and chronic pain. The company currently generates capital through public equity offerings and strategic financing—most recently pricing a $20 million public offering in February 2026—with a long-term revenue model centered on the commercialization or out-licensing of its proprietary membrane-anchored-peptide (MAP) platform. Its primary business segment is ophthalmology, led by its flagship asset urcosimod (formerly OK-101), a lipid-conjugated chemerin peptide agonist targeting the ChemR23 receptor to treat neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) and dry eye disease. OKYO competes with biopharmaceutical firms such as Aardvark Therapeutics, Rezolute, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals, positioning itself as a high-growth niche leader by targeting the first-ever FDA approval for NCP, a condition with significant unmet medical need. The company was founded by Executive Chairman Gabriele Cerrone, a veteran biotech entrepreneur who remains a major shareholder through Panetta Partners Ltd. The leadership team was significantly bolstered in early 2026 with the appointment of Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Dempsey, who previously served as Group Vice President and Head of Global Ophthalmology at Shire, where he led the blockbuster launch of Xiidra. Supporting the clinical transition, Dr. Gary S. Jacob serves as Chief Development Officer, while Dr. Flavio Mantelli, formerly of Dompé and a key figure in the development of Oxervate, was appointed Chief Medical Officer in February 2026. The executive suite is rounded out by Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Raj Patil and CFO Keeren Shah. Notable institutional backing includes Dauntless Investment Group, Renaissance Technologies, and Northern Trust, reflecting strong market confidence in the company’s upcoming Phase 2b/3 pivotal trials.