PainReform acquires majority equity interest in LayerBio

The OcuRing is designed to offer a "dropless" alternative that circumvents the challenges associated with traditional eye drop regimens. Image credit: AdobeStock

PainReform announced it has acquired a majority equity interest in LayerBio, focusing on LayerBio's OcuRing-K technology, for which it plans to initiate the next clinical trial.

The OcuRing technology is a bioerodible sustained-release implant applied to the haptic of an intraocular lens (IOL) for use in cataract surgery. Once implanted inside the eye, the OcuRing continuously releases medications for treatment and prevention of postoperative complications of cataract surgery, with OcuRing-K designed to deliver ketorolac, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, intra-surgically during cataract procedures.

The OcuRing is designed to offer a "dropless" alternative that circumvents the challenges associated with traditional eye drop regimens, which can be associated with several drawbacks such as poor compliance, particularly among elderly patients, inconsistent and inefficient drug delivery, and risks associated with steroids, including elevated intraocular pressure and potential for infection.

Ehud Geller, executive chairman and interim CEO of PainReform, commented on the transaction in a press release, saying, “This transaction has the potential to position PainReform at the forefront of non-opiate innovation in one of the most common and impactful surgical procedures worldwide. LayerBio’s OcuRing-K is not just a product candidate—it represents a platform technology with the potential to disrupt the way we manage ocular pain and inflammation after surgery. By addressing the ‘dropless’ wishes of the ophthalmic market, we can improve patient outcomes and simplify treatment for providers. We see tremendous promise not only in cataract surgery, but in expanding this technology across additional ophthalmic and surgical indications.”

The company noted that the current CEO of LayerBio, Ken Mandell, MD, PhD, will continue in his role guiding its operations and product development efforts.

In addition to NSAIDs, the OcuRing platform has the capacity to deliver other ophthalmic medications, including corticosteroids, antibiotics, and glaucoma medications. Other than cataract surgery, the companies will explore broader ophthalmic uses for the OcuRing, including glaucoma, corneal transplants, and anti-infective applications.

As for PainReform, the company works "to incorporate generic drugs which have been proven safe and effective with our proprietary extended drug-delivery system in order to create a significant improvement in therapy via extended-release drug products and to take advantage of the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway created by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration." Its proprietary extended-release drug-delivery system provides an extended period of post-surgical pain relief without repeated dose administration, which also reduces the need for opiates post-surgery. The company's PRF formulation is oil-based, viscous, and water-free, and is currently being used in a phase 2 trial for post-surgical pain and in preclinical trials for nerve block to treat neuropathic pain and the delivery of local anesthesia (with reduced viscosity), osteomyelitis, and sustained release cancer chemotherapeutics.

References:

1. PainReform Ltd. Completes Strategic Investment in LayerBio to Enter $9B Global Cataract Surgery Market with Breakthrough Non-Opiate, Non-Steroidal Postoperative NSAID Drug Delivery System. Published August 13, 2025. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/13/3132576/0/en/PainReform-Ltd-Completes-Strategic-Investment-in-LayerBio-to-Enter-9B-Global-Cataract-Surgery-Market-with-Breakthrough-Non-Opiate-Non-Steroidal-Postoperative-NSAID-Drug-Delivery-Sy.html

2. Hutton D. LayerBio granted patent for novel drug delivery platform. Published December 2, 2021. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/layerbio-granted-patent-for-novel-drug-delivery-platform

3. Product pipeline. PainReform. Accessed August 20, 2025. https://painreform.com/product-pipeline/