Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. filed a Form 8-K on October 29, 2026, disclosing that it entered into an Exclusive License Agreement with Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. on October 23, 2026, to in-license a late-stage oral small-molecule calpain inhibitor designated KIO-401 for development in ophthalmology.

Key Highlights

  • License scope: Senju granted Kiora an exclusive, sublicensable license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize KIO-401 worldwide except for certain specified countries, including countries in Asia, in the field of ophthalmology.
  • Up-front payment: Kiora will pay Senju $3.5 million as an up-front payment under the agreement.
  • Technology transfer payment: The company will also pay Senju "an amount in the low teen millions of dollars upon completion of the technology transfer," a portion of which may be credited against future milestone payments.
  • Milestone payments: Additional payments of up to $168.5 million are tied to the achievement of certain specified regulatory and commercial milestones.
  • Royalties: Kiora will pay single-digit royalties based on a specified percentage of net sales of KIO-401 in the territory, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
  • Effective date: The agreement carries an effective date of October 5, 2026, with the agreement itself dated October 23, 2026.
  • Companion diagnostic: The license also covers the development and commercialization of a companion diagnostic tool for glaucoma in the territory.

Kiora Acquires Global Rights to KIO-401 Calpain Inhibitor for Ophthalmology

According to the filing, Kiora Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:KPRX) entered into an Exclusive License Agreement with Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. covering KIO-401, which the company described as "a late-stage neuroprotective, oral small-molecule calpain inhibitor." The agreement grants Kiora exclusive, sublicensable rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize KIO-401 throughout the world except for certain specified countries, including countries in Asia. The filing states the agreement has an effective date of October 5, 2026, and was signed on October 23, 2026.

The filing discloses that Kiora "will have sole responsibility, control, and decision-making authority, at its own cost and expense, for development of KIO-401 in the Field in the Territory." The financial terms include a $3.5 million up-front payment, a technology transfer payment described as "an amount in the low teen millions of dollars," and potential milestone payments of up to $168.5 million. The company will also pay single-digit royalties on net sales. Either party may terminate the agreement upon certain customary events, according to the filing.

Separately, under Item 7.01, the company disclosed that on October 29, 2026, it issued a press release announcing the agreement and posted an investor presentation accessible through its investor relations website. The filing notes that the information furnished under Item 7.01, including the press release and presentation, "shall not be deemed 'filed' for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934." The 8-K was signed by Melissa Tosca, Chief Financial Officer, as principal financial and accounting officer.

What Was Disclosed

Kiora Pharmaceuticals filed an 8-K disclosing an exclusive license from Senju Pharmaceutical for KIO-401, an oral calpain inhibitor for ophthalmology, with an up-front fee of $3.5 million, a technology transfer payment in the low teen millions, and milestone payments of up to $168.5 million.