ZUG, Switzerland, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The attached notifications relate to trades entered into by a PDMR of the Company pursuant to a 10b5-1 trading plan, in accordance with Rule 10b5-1(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Attachments ...

Financial Performance - The company incurred net losses of CHF 85.8 million and CHF 88.8 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with accumulated losses of CHF 285.6 million as of December 31, 2024[29]. - The company has no products approved for commercial sale and has not generated any revenue from product sales, with expectations of continuing significant net losses for the foreseeable future[34]. - The company anticipates substantial increases in expenses as it progresses its product candidates through clinical development and seeks regulatory approvals[31]. - The company may require additional capital for further development and commercialization of its product candidates, with no committed source of additional capital currently available[44]. - The company expects ongoing compliance with dual-listing regulations to significantly increase legal, accounting, and IT costs, negatively impacting financial performance[48]. - The company may incur substantial increases in legal, accounting, and insurance expenses due to its status as a dual-listed public company, affecting its financial condition[49]. - The company has entered into a loan agreement providing up to CHF 50.0 million in borrowing capacity, which may be increased to CHF 65.0 million[95]. - The loan agreement includes restrictions that could limit the company's operational and financial flexibility, potentially placing it at a competitive disadvantage[96]. Product Development and Regulatory Approval - The company is developing product candidates OCS-01, Licaminlimab (OCS-02), and Privosegtor (OCS-05), which are critical for its future revenue generation[40]. - The regulatory approval processes for the company's product candidates are complex and unpredictable, impacting the timeline for potential revenue generation[36]. - The clinical and commercial success of product candidates OCS-01, Privosegtor (OCS-05), and Licaminlimab (OCS-02) is uncertain and depends on successful development and regulatory approval[110]. - The ability to generate product revenues and achieve profitability is contingent on obtaining marketing approval for OCS-01, Privosegtor (OCS-05), and Licaminlimab (OCS-02)[113]. - The success of these product candidates depends on timely completion of clinical trials, regulatory agency approvals, and acceptance by patients and the medical community[114]. - The company announced topline data for Stage 1 of the DIAMOND Phase 3 clinical trial of OCS-01 in DME, which met primary and secondary endpoints with robust statistical significance, but replication in Stage 2 is uncertain[116]. - The FDA or non-U.S. regulatory agencies may require additional studies beyond those planned, which could necessitate substantial additional funding[120]. - The company may face delays or inability to commercialize product candidates due to unforeseen events during clinical trials, including administrative errors[121]. - Clinical trials may not produce statistically significant results, leading to potential abandonment or restructuring of product development programs[122]. - The company may need to suspend or terminate clinical trials if they do not comply with regulatory requirements or if adverse safety outcomes occur[124]. - Any serious adverse events could result in delays or denials of marketing approval, adversely affecting the company's financial condition and growth prospects[126]. - Clinical trials may face substantial delays or may not be completed on expected timelines, impacting regulatory approval and commercialization[138]. - The company may encounter difficulties in patient recruitment for clinical trials, which could lead to increased costs and delays in product development[139]. - Adverse events related to product candidates could result in regulatory agencies suspending or withdrawing approvals, significantly affecting the company's reputation and financial condition[133]. - The topline results reported from clinical trials may differ significantly from final results, which could harm the company's ability to obtain regulatory approval[137]. - The company relies on third-party CROs for conducting clinical trials, and any failure in compliance could lead to unreliable clinical data and additional trials being required[146]. - The FDA and other regulatory agencies may not accept data from clinical trials conducted outside the United States, potentially necessitating additional costly trials[144]. - The company announced the closure of the Phase 3 OPTIMIZE-2 trial of OCS-01 due to a third-party administrative error, affecting the trial's conduct[147]. - Regulatory agencies require regular reporting of adverse events, and failure to comply could result in severe penalties, including criminal prosecution[135]. - The company may need to conduct additional studies if product candidates undergo manufacturing or formulation changes, impacting timelines and costs[141]. - Interim and topline data from clinical trials are subject to change and should be viewed with caution until final data are available, which could lead to volatility in share prices[136]. - The company is subject to extensive regulatory obligations and scrutiny even after obtaining regulatory approval for product candidates[149]. - Manufacturing processes for product candidates must comply with cGMP regulations, requiring ongoing review and inspections[151]. Market and Competitive Landscape - The company faces significant competition in the biopharmaceutical market, which may affect its ability to successfully commercialize its product candidates[26]. - The market opportunities for the company's product candidates may be smaller than estimated, which could adversely affect sales growth[100]. - The competitive landscape includes established therapies for conditions targeted by the company, making it challenging to persuade physicians and payors to switch to new products[186][187][188]. - The company lacks a sales and marketing infrastructure, which may hinder its ability to commercialize products effectively if approved[181]. - The company may face competition from generic products, which could significantly impact sales and market acceptance of its branded products[191]. - The company must navigate complex reimbursement policies that vary widely and are subject to change, affecting pricing and market access[175][177]. - Future mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical industry may concentrate resources among competitors, increasing competitive pressures[192]. Operational Risks - The company relies on third-party contractors for the supply, manufacture, and distribution of clinical drug supplies, which poses risks to its operations[26]. - The company relies on third-party manufacturers for product candidates, and disruptions in their operations could delay marketing and development efforts[57]. - The company is dependent on licenses for development and commercialization rights to key product candidates, which could be terminated if obligations are not met[208]. - The company has obligations under various license agreements, including milestone payments and royalties, which could impact financial resources[209]. - Any failure to comply with license agreements could result in loss of rights to important intellectual property, adversely affecting commercialization efforts[210]. - The company faces risks related to the reliance on third-party suppliers for key raw materials, which could harm manufacturing capabilities[207]. - The ability to scale up production of product candidates is critical, and failure to do so could lead to delays in development and commercialization[205]. - The company may encounter difficulties in production due to reliance on third-party manufacturers, affecting the supply of product candidates[204]. - The company faces potential challenges in maintaining licensing arrangements due to disputes over intellectual property, which could hinder the development and commercialization of product candidates[213]. - Established companies may have a competitive advantage in acquiring third-party intellectual property rights, impacting the company's ability to license necessary technologies[214]. - The company risks losing rights to sublicensed patent rights if parent licenses terminate, which could adversely affect its competitive position and financial condition[215]. - Current and future licenses may not provide exclusive rights to use licensed intellectual property, potentially allowing competitors to develop similar products[216]. - Limitations on utilizing acquired or licensed technologies could delay new product introductions and impair the company's ability to market and sell product candidates[217]. Cybersecurity and Data Privacy - The company has experienced unsuccessful phishing attempts and anticipates continued threats to its information technology systems[67]. - The company may face challenges in integrating acquired entities into its information technology environment, exposing it to additional cybersecurity risks[64]. - The company has implemented security measures to protect against incidents but cannot guarantee their effectiveness[66]. - The company may need to modify its business activities to protect against security incidents, which could divert resources from clinical trial activities[68]. - The company may face significant costs and adverse consequences due to data privacy and security obligations, including potential fines and penalties[70]. - Non-compliance with data privacy laws could lead to government investigations, litigation, and reputational harm, impacting revenue and profits[73]. - Under the GDPR, companies could face fines of up to €20 million or 4% of annual global revenue, whichever is greater, for non-compliance[78]. - The company is subject to various U.S. state privacy laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, which allows for significant statutory damages for data breaches[77]. - The company may incur increased compliance costs and legal risks due to evolving data protection laws and regulations[88]. - The company’s marketing strategies may be adversely affected by stringent opt-in consent requirements for data processing under EU laws[83]. Human Resources and Compliance - The company had 49 employees as of December 31, 2024, and may need additional resources to support its growth strategy[50]. - The company faces intense competition for qualified personnel, which may hinder its ability to achieve research, development, and commercialization objectives[47]. - The company may encounter substantial costs and management distractions from potential securities class action litigation due to stock price volatility[98]. - The company may need to purchase insurance coverage as it expands clinical trials, which is becoming increasingly expensive and restrictive[194]. - Collaborations with third parties for product development may not be successful, impacting the company's ability to capitalize on market potential[195].

Core Viewpoint - Oculis Holding AG reported significant clinical advancements and financial results for the year 2024, highlighting its commitment to developing innovative treatments for ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic diseases, with a strong focus on executing its late-stage clinical portfolio in 2025 [2][6][18] Clinical Highlights and Upcoming Milestones - The company achieved positive Phase 2 topline results from the ACUITY trial for Privosegtor (OCS-05) in acute optic neuritis and the RELIEF trial for Licaminlimab (OCS-02) in dry eye disease [2][6] - Enrollment for the Phase 3 DIAMOND trials of OCS-01 in diabetic macular edema (DME) is on track to be completed in the coming months, with top-line data expected in the first half of 2026 [7] - A $100 million equity financing was successfully completed to support the advancement of the clinical portfolio [6][8] Financial Highlights - As of December 31, 2024, the company had total cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of CHF 98.7 million or $109.0 million, an increase from CHF 91.7 million or $108.9 million at the end of 2023 [5][8] - The net loss for Q4 2024 was CHF 28.7 million or $32.6 million, compared to CHF 12.5 million or $14.1 million for the same period in 2023 [10][14] - For the full year 2024, the net loss was CHF 85.8 million or $97.4 million, a slight decrease from CHF 88.8 million or $98.8 million in 2023 [10][14] Research and Development Expenses - Research and development expenses for Q4 2024 were CHF 11.8 million or $13.4 million, up from CHF 8.0 million or $9.0 million in Q4 2023 [10][14] - For the full year 2024, research and development expenses totaled CHF 52.1 million or $59.1 million, compared to CHF 29.2 million or $32.6 million in 2023 [10][14] Future Outlook - The company plans to provide further updates on its business and pipeline development during the R&D Day scheduled for April 15, 2025, in New York City [4][6]

Core Insights - Oculis Holding AG is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on saving sight and improving eye care [3] - The company will present at the Leerink Global Healthcare Conference on March 11, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET [1] - Oculis has a differentiated pipeline including innovative product candidates such as OCS-01, OCS-05, and OCS-02 [3] Company Overview - Oculis is headquartered in Switzerland and has operations in the U.S. and Iceland [3] - The management team has a successful track record and is supported by leading international healthcare investors [3] Upcoming Events - The company will be available for one-on-one meetings during the conference, and interested investors can contact their representatives [1] - A live webcast of the fireside chat will be accessible on the Oculis website [2]

Core Viewpoint - Oculis Holding AG has announced an underwritten offering of 5,000,000 ordinary shares priced at $20.00 per share, aiming for total gross proceeds of $100 million to support its clinical development pipeline and general corporate purposes [1][3]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering is oversubscribed and is expected to close on or about February 18, 2025, pending customary closing conditions [2]. - The new shares will be issued from the Company's existing capital band, increasing the total number of registered shares to 53,943,700 [2]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The net proceeds from the offering will be utilized to advance the clinical development of the neuroprotective candidate Privosegtor (OCS-05) and for working capital and general corporate purposes [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Oculis is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on innovations for ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic diseases, with a pipeline that includes OCS-01 for diabetic macular edema and Licaminlimab (OCS-02) for dry eye disease [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying sustainable trends in short-term investing, highlighting that while price momentum can be profitable, it requires solid fundamentals to maintain that momentum. Group 1: Stock Performance - Oculis Holding AG (OCS) has shown a solid price increase of 27.2% over the past 12 weeks, indicating strong investor interest [4] - The stock has also increased by 31.4% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5] - OCS is currently trading at 94% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout [5] Group 2: Fundamental Strength - OCS holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises [6] - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term price performance [7] Group 3: Investment Strategy - The "Recent Price Strength" screen is a useful tool for identifying stocks like OCS that have sufficient fundamental strength to maintain their recent uptrend [3] - The article suggests that there are several other stocks passing through this screen, indicating potential investment opportunities [8]

Clinical Trial Results - OCS-05 achieved the primary safety endpoint and demonstrated statistically significant results on key secondary efficacy endpoints in the Phase 2 ACUITY trial for acute optic neuritis [1][3] - The trial showed a 43% improvement in Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer (GCIPL) thickness and a 28% improvement in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness at month 3, with further improvements at month 6 [5][7] - OCS-05 demonstrated a favorable difference in Low Contrast Letter Acuity (LCVA) mean change from baseline of approximately 18 letters at month 3 and 15 letters at month 6 [8] Safety and Tolerability - OCS-05 showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile compared to placebo, with no drug-related serious adverse events (SAEs) or AEs leading to drug withdrawal or study discontinuation [6][9] - The most frequently reported drug-related AEs in the OCS-05 treatment group were headache and acne, each occurring in 10.5% of patients [9] Regulatory and Development Status - OCS-05 has received orphan drug designation from both the FDA and EMA for acute optic neuritis [8] - The Investigational New Drug (IND) application for OCS-05 has been cleared by the FDA, enabling the initiation of clinical development in the United States [9][10] Company and Pipeline Overview - Oculis is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for eye care, with a pipeline including OCS-01, OCS-02, and OCS-05 [19] - The company has a strong financial position with approximately $105 to 110 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments [10] Market and Medical Need - Acute optic neuritis is a rare condition affecting up to 8 in 100,000 people worldwide, with no currently approved therapies specifically indicated for the condition [15] - There is a critical unmet need for neuroprotective therapies to preserve vision and prevent permanent visual impairment in acute optic neuritis patients [8][15]

Major Changes in Voting Rights - Brunnur Vaxtarsjóður slhf has distributed its shares in Oculis Holding AG to its shareholders, resulting in major changes in voting rights [1] - The notification pertains to the distribution of shares by Brunnur Vaxtarsjóður slhf, which impacts the voting rights structure [2] Corporate Actions - The distribution of shares in Oculis Holding AG by Brunnur Vaxtarsjóður slhf is a significant corporate action affecting shareholder rights [1][2]

Group 1 - The news pertains to the vesting of earnout shares and the removal of restrictions on these ordinary shares [1]

Core Points - The notification pertains to a one-time equity incentive award issued to a director of the Company for independent consulting services [1] Summary by Category - **Equity Incentive Award**: A one-time equity incentive award has been granted to a director of the Company [1] - **Consulting Services**: The award is in recognition of the director's independent services as a consultant to the Company [1]