Category: News

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, December 2, 2025 – OKAVA Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company developing medicines to enable dogs and cats to live longer, healthier lives. Today, the company announced that the first cat has been successfully dosed in MEOW-1 (ManagEment of OverWeight cats with OKV-119), a landmark clinical study evaluating OKV-119, an investigational, first-in-class, ultra-long-acting GLP-1 implant being developed specifically for weight management in cats. Beyond weight loss, the implications of this pet-tailored GLP-1 solution for diabetes, kidney disease, and healthy aging and longevity may be profound.

By improving cardiometabolic health through continuous delivery of a GLP-1 receptor agonist, OKV-119 has the potential to enhance quality of life, promote healthy aging, and become the most impactful life-extending therapy available for cats.

OKV-119 leverages the NanoPortal™ technology platform developed by Vivani Medical (Nasdaq: VANI). The novel drug-delivery system is designed to provide smooth and steady delivery of therapeutic molecules, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, over extended periods from a single implant. This solution is designed to guarantee that cats remain adherent for up to six months with a single implant administered during a routine office visit.

MEOW-1 marks the first-ever GLP-1 weight-loss clinical trial in cats or dogs, a landmark moment for veterinary medicine. In human medicine, GLP-1 receptor agonists have revolutionized the management of obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic health, becoming one of the most important therapeutic breakthroughs of the 21st century. OKAVA is now working to bring this same transformational class of medicines to dogs and cats, with an ultra-long-acting solution specifically engineered for safe and effective use in companion animals.

“Caloric restriction, or fasting, is one of the most well-established interventions for extending lifespan and improving metabolic health in cats,” said Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA, CEO of OKAVA. “But it’s also one of the hardest to maintain. OKV-119 is designed to mimic many of the physiological effects of fasting — improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fat mass, and more efficient energy metabolism — without requiring significant changes in feeding routines or disrupting the human–animal bond that often centers around food.”

The MEOW-1 study is being conducted under an FDA-CVM Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) application and will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and weight-loss efficacy of OKV-119 in overweight or obese client-owned cats. Results from the study will inform future clinical development and regulatory filings and are expected to guide the initiation of similar studies in dogs. As part of its commitment to responsible, transparent clinical research, OKAVA has listed the MEOW-1 study in the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Clinical Trials Registry.

About OKV-119
OKV-119 is a miniature, subdermal exenatide implant designed to address the growing prevalence of obesity, diabetes and kidney disease in cats. The product utilizes Vivani Medical’s (Nasdaq: VANI) NanoPortal™ technology platform. The implant can be inserted under the skin during a routine veterinary visit and is designed to deliver a steady dose of medication for up to six months.
OKV-119 is being developed by OKAVA in partnership with Vivani Medical under an exclusive veterinary licensing and collaboration agreement.

About OKAVA Pharmaceuticals
OKAVA is a clinical-stage research and development company that develops new treatment options for dogs and cats suffering from chronic diseases of aging. OKAVA is building a portfolio of products to transform and humanize standards of care in veterinary medicine. OKAVA is a private company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, see OKAVA.com.

About Vivani Medical
Leveraging its proprietary NanoPortal™ platform, Vivani develops biopharmaceutical implants designed to deliver drug molecules steadily over extended periods of time with the goal of guaranteeing adherence and improving patient tolerance to their medication. Vivani is developing a portfolio of GLP-1 based implants for metabolic diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes. These NanoPortal implants are designed to provide patients with the opportunity to realize the full potential benefit of their medication by avoiding the numerous challenges associated with the daily or weekly administration of orals and injectables, including tolerability issues and loss of efficacy. Medication non-adherence occurs when patients do not take their medication as prescribed. This affects an alarming number of patients, approximately 50%, including those taking daily pills. For more information, see www.vivani.com.

For More Information:
Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA Chief Executive Officer at OKAVA Pharmaceuticals
+1 415-818-1808
info@okavapharma.com

Over half of all dogs in the United States today are overweight or obese, placing them at increased risk for chronic diseases, metabolic decline and shortened lifespans

ALAMEDA, Calif. and SAN FRANCISCO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Vivani Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: VANI) (“Vivani” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing miniature, ultra long-acting drug implants, and Okava Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Okava”), a clinical-stage company focused on diseases of aging in dogs and cats, today announced an expansion of their collaboration to include dogs in the development of OKV-119, a long-acting GLP-1 therapy for weight management, diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions. Vivani and Okava initiated their collaboration in 2019, with a focus on developing OKV-119 for cardiometabolic conditions in cats.

OKV-119 leverages Vivani’s proprietary NanoPortal™ technology, which provides smooth and steady delivery of therapeutic molecules, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, over extended periods from a single implant. According to Okava, dosing every six months or longer supports a “One-and-Done” approach between office visits consistent with the product profile of Vivani’s NPM-115, an ultra long-acting GLP-1 implant in clinical stage development to improve medication adherence and tolerability for the treatment of chronic weight management in humans.

“Caloric restriction, or fasting, is one of the most well-established interventions for extending the lifespan and improving metabolic health in dogs,” said Okava CEO Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA. “But it is also one of the hardest to maintain. OKV-119 mimics many of the physiological effects of fasting—improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fat mass and more efficient energy metabolism—without requiring significant changes in feeding routines or disrupting the human-animal bond that often centers around food.”

Over half of all dogs in the United States today are overweight or obese, placing them at increased risk for chronic disease, metabolic decline and shortened lifespans. Similar to the changes humans face as they grow older, aging dogs experience declines in metabolic fitness, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance and loss of muscle mass. Research shows that leaner dogs can live more than two years longer than their heavier counterparts. By restoring and maintaining a healthy metabolism through a single, long-acting dose, OKV-119 has the potential to enhance quality of life, promote healthy aging and become the most impactful life-extending therapy available for dogs.

“This collaboration aligns with Vivani’s broader mission to develop innovative medicines that will revolutionize the treatment of chronic diseases by leveraging proprietary drug delivery technologies,” said Vivani CEO Adam Mendelsohn, PhD. “This expanded partnership with Okava reflects our shared confidence in the potential of NanoPortal technology to serve a broad array of prospective beneficiaries in the management of metabolic disease. The structure of this expanded partnership minimizes costs and risks for Vivani while integrating upside potential for Vivani shareholders through future milestone payments and royalties. Together with Okava, we are broadening the reach of our technology, meeting unmet needs in veterinary medicine while positioning Vivani to capture future value within an industry segment experiencing continued and unprecedented growth.”

Financial terms of the expanded agreement were not disclosed.

About Vivani Medical, Inc.
Leveraging its proprietary NanoPortal platform, Vivani develops therapeutic implants designed to deliver drug molecules steadily over extended periods of time with the goal of guaranteeing adherence, and potentially to improve patient tolerance to their medication. Vivani’s lead programs, NPM-139 (semaglutide implant) and NPM-115 (exenatide implant), are miniature, subdermal GLP-1 implants under development for chronic weight management in obese or overweight individuals designed for once or twice-yearly administration. Vivani’s emerging pipeline also includes NPM-119, which refers to the Company’s six-month, subdermal, GLP-1 (exenatide implant) under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Development of a semaglutide implant for the treatment of type 2 diabetes is also under consideration. These NanoPortal implants are designed to provide patients with the opportunity to experience the full potential benefit of their medication by avoiding the challenges associated with the daily or weekly administration of oral and injectable medications.

Medication non-adherence occurs when patients do not take their medication as prescribed. This affects an alarming number of patients, approximately 50%, including those taking daily pills. Medication non-adherence, which contributes to more than $500 billion in annual avoidable healthcare costs and 125,000 potentially preventable deaths annually in the U.S. alone, is a primary and daunting reason why obese or overweight patients, and patients taking type 2 diabetes or other chronic disease treatments, face significant challenges in achieving positive real-world effectiveness. While the current GLP-1 landscape includes over 50 new molecular entities under clinical stage development, Vivani remains confident that its highly differentiated portfolio of miniature, ultra long-acting GLP-1 implants have the potential to provide an attractive therapeutic option for patients, prescribers and payers. For more information, please visit: www.vivani.com.

About Okava Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
OKAVA is a clinical-stage research and development company that develops new treatment options for dogs and cats suffering from chronic diseases of aging. OKAVA is building a portfolio of products to transform and humanize standards of care in veterinary medicine. By harnessing human technologies for the treatment of common diseases in household pets, the company has the potential of increasing the lifespans of dogs and cats by an average of 1 to 3 years. OKAVA is a private company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, see www.okava.com.

Okava Contacts:
Investor Relations Contact:
Jami Taylor
Investor Relations Advisor
pr@okava.com
(415) 506-8462

Vivani Contacts:
Company Contact:
Donald Dwyer
Chief Business Officer
info@vivani.com
(415) 506-8462

Investor Relations Contact:
Jami Taylor
Investor Relations Advisor
investors@vivani.com
(415) 506-8462

Media Contact:
Sean Leous
ICR Healthcare
Sean.Leous@ICRHealthcare.com
(646) 866-4012

Study Offers New Hope for Canine Patients Poorly Controlled with Conventional Treatments

San Francisco, California – June 21, 2024 – OKAVA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage research and development company focused on diseases of aging in dogs and cats, is proud to announce the publication of a pilot clinical study in Veterinary Dermatology, the journal published on behalf of The European Society of Veterinary Dermatology and American College of Veterinary Dermatology. The study investigates a novel therapeutic approach to managing atopic dermatitis in dogs that have not responded adequately to conventional treatments.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects a significant number of dogs worldwide. Despite the availability of various treatment options, many dogs continue to suffer from persistent symptoms, significantly impacting their quality of life. OKAVA’s latest research offers promising new insights into addressing this challenge.

The pilot study, titled “Treatment of moderate-to-severe canine atopic dermatitis with modified release mycophenolate (OKV-1001): a pilot open-label, single-arm multicentric clinical trial,” evaluates the efficacy and safety of OKV-1001 in a cohort of dogs with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Conducted under the guidance of leading veterinary dermatologists, the study’s results demonstrate mycophenolate may represent a promising alternative treatment option for moderate-severe AD.

“Our team is thrilled to share these findings with the veterinary community and pet owners alike,” said Michael Klotsman, CEO of OKAVA. “We believe this study represents a significant step forward in our mission to improve the lives of pets suffering from chronic conditions like atopic dermatitis.”

Key Highlights of the Study:

• Patient Population: The study involved dogs with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis unresponsive to standard therapies.
• Intervention: OKV-1001 is a novel, patented, once-daily modified release formulation of mycophenolate.
• Results: Treatment with OKV-1001 significantly reduced the severity of AD. In this sample, the mean percentage change from baseline in skin lesion scores (CADESI-04) declined by 39% and 49% Day 28 and 56, respectively.
• Safety Profile: No adverse events, nor abnormalities in blood values were observed in any dogs enrolled..

OKAVA’s innovative approach is part of a broader commitment to developing advanced solutions that address unmet needs in veterinary medicine. This study is the first in a series of planned clinical trials aimed at evaluating the potential of OKV-1001.

About Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Canine atopic dermatitis (AD), an inflammatory skin disease, is the number one reason for veterinary visits in the US. AD is characterized by excessive itchiness (pruritis), and it may affect as much as 10-15% of the dog population. It is caused by a reaction to substances in the environment known as allergens, and it’s a lifelong condition. Canine AD often requires long-term management and can significantly affect the wellbeing of affected dogs. Despite existing therapies, many dogs experience inadequate control of their symptoms. Canine AD is a $1.5B+ market that is rapidly expanding and expected to exceed $2B by the early 2030’s.

About OKV-1001

OKV-1001, a patented modified-release mycophenolate formulation, is the first-ever product candidate to leverage advanced drug delivery technologies to meet the unique needs of dogs. OKV-1001 is a MUMS-designated product that is under development for immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. In people, mycophenolate is an FDA-approved medicine used across a host of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and lupus.

OKAVA’s proprietary OKV-1001 formulation is a once-daily oral product designed to unlock the therapeutic potential of mycophenolate by improving the ease-of-use, safety, and efficacy of this drug.

About OKAVA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
OKAVA is a clinical-stage research and development company that develops new treatment options for dogs and cats suffering from chronic diseases of aging. OKAVA is building a portfolio of products to transform and humanize standards of care in veterinary medicine. By harnessing human technologies for the treatment of common diseases in household pets, the company has the potential of increasing the lifespans of dogs and cats by an average of 1 to 3 years. OKAVA is a private company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, see OKAVA.com.

For More Information:
Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA Chief Executive Officer at OKAVA
Phone: 415.818.1808

Enhanced Board of Directors will play a crucial role in advancing OKAVA’s mission to redefine pet care

San Francisco, California – June 10, 2024 – OKAVA, a clinical stage company focused on diseases of aging in dogs and cats, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Fick and Jim Thompson to its Board of Directors. Additionally, Arlene Morris has joined as a strategic advisor. These appointments bring a wealth of industry expertise and leadership to support OKAVA’s mission of advancing veterinary medicine.

Jim Thompson, Independent Director

Jim Thompson joins the Board with over 25 years of proven success in omni-channel retail. He brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to OKAVA.

Jim Thompson’s impressive career includes roles as Vice President, President, CEO, and Board Director. Most recently, he served as Chief Revenue Officer at Chewy.com, the leading online source for pet products, supplies, and prescriptions in the US. Under his leadership, Chewy experienced significant growth following its IPO in 2019. Currently, Jim serves on the Board of Primal Pet Foods, a leading manufacturer of premium pet food.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim to our Board,” said Michael Klotsman, CEO of OKAVA. “His unique insights in the pet sector and the evolution towards on-line Rx distribution channels will be extremely valuable as we advance our clinical programs and work towards our mission of advancing pet health.”

Kevin Fick, Executive Chair

OKAVA is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Fick as Executive Chairman of the Board. With over 25 years of experience in the pet industry, Kevin is a highly recognized leader known for his strategic vision and impactful leadership.

Kevin Fick most recently served as CEO at Petwise Brands, where he spearheaded the growth of one of the leading platforms in the pet supplies market. Under his leadership, Petwise Brands achieved significant milestones that culminated in its acquisition by A&M Capital Partners. In addition to his role at OKAVA, Kevin currently serves on the Boards of the American Pet Products Association and the Joybound People & Pets Foundation, contributing to the advancement of the pet industry as a whole.

“Adding Kevin’s perspective and experience to our Board is a significant step forward for OKAVA,” said Michael Klotsman, CEO of OKAVA. “His deep knowledge of the pet sector and proven track record of driving growth will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of extending high-quality life in dogs and cats.”

Arlene Morris, Strategic Advisor

Arlene Morris joins as a strategic advisor. Arlene brings over 30 years of expertise in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, making her a valuable addition to the OKAVA team.

Arlene has an extensive background in leadership roles across the biotech sector. She has led public biotechnology companies as the Chief Executive Officer of Syndax Pharmaceuticals and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Affymax. In addition to her executive roles, Arlene has significant board experience, currently serving on the boards of publicly traded companies including Cogent Biosciences, Palatin Technologies, TC BioPharm, Viridian Therapeutics, and Edgewise Therapeutics. She also serves on the Board of the Charleston Animal Society.

“With over 30 years of exceptional leadership experience in the biotech industry, we are delighted to welcome Arlene as a strategic advisor,” said Michael Klotsman, CEO of OKAVA. “Arlene brings invaluable expertise in strategic development and operational excellence, and we are grateful to have her join us in our mission to improve the lives of pets affected by serious chronic diseases.”

These new appointments come at a pivotal time for OKAVA, as the company advances its pipeline assets towards FDA and EMA approval. The enhanced Board of Directors will play a crucial role in guiding the company’s strategic direction and ensuring continued progress towards its objectives.

About OKAVA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
OKAVA is a clinical-stage research and development company that develops new treatment options for dogs and cats suffering from chronic diseases of aging. OKAVA is building a portfolio of products to transform and humanize standards of care in veterinary medicine. By harnessing human technologies for the treatment of common diseases in household pets, the company has the potential of increasing the lifespans of dogs and cats by an average of 1 to 3 years. OKAVA is a private company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, see OKAVA.com.

For More Information:
Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA Chief Executive Officer at OKAVA
Phone: 415.818.1808

Study Published in BMC Veterinary Research Highlights Months-Long Exenatide Drug Delivery Achieved Through OKAVA’s Innovative OKV-119 Drug Delivery System

San Francisco, California – May 18, 2024 – OKAVA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage research and development company focused on diseases of aging in dogs and cats, today announced the publication of its pilot study for OKV-119 in BMC Veterinary Research. The proof-of-concept study showcases the successful application of Vivani’s NanoPortal™ technology to deliver sustained exenatide exposure which, in turn, significantly led to weight reduction in cats.

Feline obesity and diabetes are rising concerns in veterinary health, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. OKAVA’s OKV-119 utilizes Vivani’s advanced  NanoPortal™ drug delivery platform to address these challenges. This study represents a major milestone in the development of safe and effective solutions for these prevalent conditions.

Key Findings of the OKV-119 Pilot Study:

• Extended Drug Exposure: The study demonstrated that OKV-119 can deliver exenatide continuously over several months. This extended exposure is crucial for maintaining therapeutic effects without the need for frequent dosing.
• Weight Reduction: In cats exposed to the GLP-1 exenatide, weight loss was observed.  These observations highlight the potential of OKV-119 to effectively manage and reduce obesity, a major risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, and ultimately shortened lifespans in cats.
• Innovative Delivery Mechanism: The NanoPortal™ technology offers a hassle-free solution for guaranteeing drug adherence and represents a potentially revolutionary solution for administering medications for chronic conditions in veterinary medicine.

“We are thrilled to share these promising results from our OKV-119 pilot study,” said Michael Klotsman, CEO of OKAVA. “Our partnership with Vivani and their cutting-edge NanoPortal platform has enabled us to make significant strides in developing a transformative solution for feline obesity and diabetes. This is a critical step towards improving the quality of life for millions of cats and providing veterinarians with more effective tools to manage these conditions.”

Vivani, the inventor of the NanoPortal™, has been instrumental in advancing this technology for veterinary applications. Their expertise in nano-scale drug delivery has facilitated the creation of drug delivery systems capable of maintaining consistent drug levels, thus enhancing therapeutic outcomes and compliance.

“Our collaboration with OKAVA exemplifies the potential of the nanoportal platform to address significant health challenges,” said [Vivani’s Representative’s Name], [Title] at Vivani. “We look forward to further advancing this partnership to bring OKV-119 to market and making a substantial impact on the management of feline obesity and diabetes.”

OKAVA is committed to advancing veterinary care through innovative biotechnological solutions. With the promising results of this pilot study, OKAVA plans to initiate further clinical trials to refine and validate OKV-119, aiming for a commercial launch that could revolutionize the treatment of chronic feline conditions.

For more details on the study and ongoing developments, please visit www.OKAVA.com or access the publication in BMC Veterinary Research ( http://rdcu.be/dIlB1).

About OKV-119

OKV-119 is a miniature, subdermal, exenatide drug implant designed to treat the growing number of clinically obese cats and feline diabetes. This device can be conveniently inserted under the skin during routine veterinary visits and is designed to provide steady doses of medication for up to six months.

OKV-119 is being developed under a partnership with Vivani Medical, Inc.

About OKAVA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
OKAVA is a clinical-stage research and development company that develops new treatment options for dogs and cats suffering from chronic diseases of aging. OKAVA is building a portfolio of products to transform and humanize standards of care in veterinary medicine. By harnessing human technologies for the treatment of common diseases in household pets, the company has the potential of increasing the lifespans of dogs and cats by an average of 1 to 3 years. OKAVA is a private company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, see OKAVA.com.

About Vivani Medical, Inc.

Leveraging its proprietary NanoPortal™ platform, Vivani Medical develops biopharmaceutical implants designed to deliver drug molecules steadily over extended periods of time with the goal of guaranteeing adherence, and potentially to improve medication tolerability. Vivani’s lead programs NPM-115 and NPM-119 are miniature, six-month, GLP-1 implants in development for the treatment of chronic weight management in obese or overweight patients and type 2 diabetes, respectively. Both NPM-115 and NPM-119 are exenatide based products with a higher-dose associated with NPM-115 for the treatment of chronic weight management in obese or overweight patients. These NanoPortal implants are designed to provide patients with the opportunity to realize the full potential benefit of their medication by avoiding the challenges associated with the daily or weekly administration of orals and injectables. Medication non-adherence occurs when patients do not take their medication as prescribed. This affects an alarming number of patients, approximately 50%, including those taking daily pills. Medication non-adherence, which contributes to more than $500 billion in annual avoidable healthcare costs and 125,000 potentially preventable deaths annually in the U.S. alone, is a primary and daunting reason why obese or overweight patients, and patients taking type 2 diabetes or other chronic disease medications face significant challenges in achieving positive real-world effectiveness.

For More Information:
Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA Chief Executive Officer at OKAVA
Phone: 415.818.1808
E-mail: info@okavapharma.com

Vivani Contact:
Donald Dwyer
Chief Business Officer
info@vivani.com
(415) 506-8462

Vivani Investor Relations Contact:
Brigid A. Makes
Chief Financial Officer
investors@vivani.com
(415) 506-8462

Study Offers New Hope for Canine Patients Poorly Controlled with Conventional Treatments

San Francisco, California – May 11, 2021 – OKAVA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage research and development company focused on diseases of aging in dogs and cats, is proud to is proud to announce that its recent pilot clinical study on atopic dermatitis in dogs has been selected for an oral presentation at the prestigious World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology (WCVD). This notable event will take place in Boston, MA from July 25-29, 2024.

The pilot study, titled “Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis with modified release mycophenolate (OKV-1001): a case series “, explored groundbreaking treatment options for dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis that have not responded adequately to traditional therapies. This condition, which affects a significant number of dogs worldwide, can lead to chronic discomfort and impact the quality of life for both pets and their owners.

Key Highlights of the Study:

• Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of OKAVA’s novel treatment approach in managing atopic dermatitis in dogs with poor response to conventional treatments.
• Methodology: This single-arm pilot study, modeled after a study in people with moderate-to-severe AD nonresponsive to standard therapy, followed dogs with poorly controlled AD for 56 days.
• Results: Treatment with OKV-1001 resulted in improved disease control over a 56-day period. Relative to baseline, findings revealed significant improvement in skin lesion scores (CADESI-04) among treated dogs.

Dr. Domenico Santoro, DVM, MS, DrSc, PhD, the principal investigator of the study, will present the results during the oral presentation session on July 26th during the WCVD. “We are honored to have our research recognized at such a high level,” said Dr. Santoro. “This study underscores the need of advancing veterinary medicine and finding effective solutions for challenging conditions like atopic dermatitis in dogs.”

The selection for an oral presentation at the WCVD underscores the scientific and clinical relevance of OKAVA’s research efforts in veterinary dermatology. It also highlights the potential of OKV-1001 to fill the gaps left by conventional treatments in managing complex dermatological conditions in animals.

“We are thrilled to have our work showcased on an international stage,” said Michael Klotsman, CEO of OKAVA. “Our team has worked tirelessly to develop new, effective treatments for conditions that significantly affect the well-being of pets. This recognition motivates us to continue our mission of bringing validated biotechnological solutions available in people and tailoring those technologies for use in veterinary care.”

About the World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology (WCVD)

The WCVD is a globally renowned conference that brings together veterinarians, researchers, and experts in the field of veterinary dermatology to share the latest scientific discoveries and advancements. It serves as a platform for discussing critical issues, innovative treatments, and future directions in veterinary dermatology.

About Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Canine atopic dermatitis (AD), an inflammatory skin disease, is the number one reason for veterinary visits in the US. AD is characterized by excessive itchiness (pruritis), and it may affect as much as 10-15% of the dog population. It is caused by a reaction to substances in the environment known as allergens, and it’s a lifelong condition. Canine AD often requires long-term management and can significantly affect the wellbeing of affected dogs. Despite existing therapies, many dogs experience inadequate control of their symptoms. Canine AD is a $1.5B+ market that is rapidly expanding and expected to exceed $2B by the early 2030’s.

About OKV-1001

OKV-1001, a patented modified-release mycophenolate formulation, is the first-ever product candidate to leverage advanced drug delivery technologies to meet the unique needs of dogs. OKV-1001 is a MUMS-designated product that is under development for immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. In people, mycophenolate is an FDA-approved medicine used across a host of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and lupus.

OKAVA’s proprietary OKV-1001 formulation is a once-daily oral product designed to unlock the therapeutic potential of mycophenolate by improving the ease-of-use, safety, and efficacy of this drug.

About OKAVA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
OKAVA is a clinical-stage research and development company that develops new treatment options for dogs and cats suffering from chronic diseases of aging. OKAVA is building a portfolio of products to transform and humanize standards of care in veterinary medicine. By harnessing human technologies for the treatment of common diseases in household pets, the company has the potential of increasing the lifespans of dogs and cats by an average of 1 to 3 years. OKAVA is a private company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, see OKAVA.com.

For More Information:
Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA Chief Executive Officer at OKAVA
Phone: 415.818.1808