Oculis to Present Promising Optic Neuritis Data at Neuro-Ophthalmology Conference

Biopharmaceutical company Oculis to showcase Phase 2 ACUITY trial results for neuroprotective candidate Privosegtor at prestigious NANOS annual meeting.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:53am

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Oculis, a global biopharmaceutical company, announced it will present data from the Phase 2 ACUITY trial of its neuroprotective candidate Privosegtor at the upcoming North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) 52nd Annual Meeting. The ACUITY trial results demonstrated Privosegtor's potential to preserve retinal ganglion cells and improve visual function in patients with acute optic neuritis, a rare condition that can lead to permanent vision loss.

Why it matters

Optic neuritis often represents the first sign of multiple sclerosis and currently has no approved specific therapy, leaving a significant unmet need for treatments that can prevent vision loss by reducing permanent nerve damage. Privosegtor's promising neuroprotective effects could make it a breakthrough therapy for optic neuritis and other neuro-ophthalmic diseases.

The details

The ACUITY Phase 2 trial results will focus on Privosegtor's ability to significantly improve low-contrast visual acuity and show promising neuroprotective structural and biological effects in patients with optic neuritis. Privosegtor is a peptoid small molecule that can cross the blood-brain and retinal barriers, giving it the potential to become the first neuroprotective therapy approved for optic neuritis. Following Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA, Oculis is advancing Privosegtor into the PIONEER registrational program for optic neuropathies.

  • The NANOS 52nd Annual Meeting will take place from March 20-24, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • The Privosegtor ACUITY Phase 2 data presentation is scheduled for Monday, March 23 at 8:48 AM EDT.

The players

Oculis

A global biopharmaceutical company focused on breakthrough innovations in ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology, including the development of Privosegtor.

Professor Martin S. Zinkernagel, M.D., Ph.D.

Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland, and the presenter of the ACUITY Phase 2 trial results for Privosegtor.

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What they’re saying

“Our commitment to advancing the field of neuro-ophthalmology has never been stronger. The ACUITY Phase 2 results with Privosegtor highlight meaningful progress toward delivering a much-needed neuroprotective therapy to patients with optic neuritis and other optic neuropathies.”

— Riad Sherif, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Oculis

What’s next

Following the NANOS presentation, Oculis is advancing the PIONEER registrational program for Privosegtor in optic neuropathies, with the PIONEER-1 trial in optic neuritis initiated in Q4 2025.

The takeaway

Privosegtor's potential to preserve vision and nerve function in optic neuritis patients represents a significant breakthrough in addressing this debilitating condition that often leads to permanent visual impairment. If approved, Privosegtor could become the first neuroprotective therapy for optic neuritis and potentially other neuro-ophthalmic diseases.