Oculis Upsizes BlackRock Loan Facility To €106.2MIllion For Eye Disease Breakthroughs

The Swiss company develops therapies for ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic diseases.

Oculis has replaced its May 29, 2024, loan agreement with an amended facility from BlackRock, offering CHF 75M in borrowing capacity, expandable to CHF 100M. The deal comprises three CHF 25M tranches plus an optional CHF 25M loan, with no funds drawn at signing.

Riad Sherif, M.D., CEO of Oculis, says, “We are pleased to have upsized our previous loan agreement with funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, which expands an instrument allowing enhanced flexibility to ensure the future financial and operational strength of Oculis.”

“Our current robust cash position provides runway into early 2028, which is further strengthened by the loan facility, as we remain focused on advancing our portfolio of differentiated assets and bringing transformative treatments to those who need them most.”

Oculis is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic diseases.

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Its late-stage pipeline includes OCS-01, an eye drop in registration for diabetic macular edema; Privosegtor (OCS-05), a neuroprotective candidate in Phase 2 for acute optic neuritis with potential in other neurological disorders; and Licaminlimab (OCS-02), a genotype-driven topical anti-TNFα in Phase 2 for dry eye disease.

Founded in Iceland, where its OPTIREACH solubilising technology was created to deliver eye drops to the back of the eye, Oculis is now headquartered in Switzerland, with operations in the US and Iceland. It became a dual-listed public company in March 2023.

Oculis will deploy the additional capital to advance milestones across its three core assets.

In H2 2025, it plans regulatory discussions with the FDA on three indications for Privosegtor (OCS-05): acute optic neuritis, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuritis (NAION), and acute relapse treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS).

During the same period, Oculis will launch a Phase 2/3 trial of Licaminlimab (OCS-02) for dry eye disease, followed in H1 2026 by a Phase 2/3 trial of Privosegtor (OCS-05) for acute optic neuritis.

Topline results from the OCS-01 Phase 3 DIAMOND trials are anticipated in Q2 2026, with a potential first NDA filing in H2 2026 if outcomes are favorable.

BlackRock offers investment, advisory, and risk management services as a fiduciary, helping clients build savings and invest for future goals, including retirement.

Its approach centers on understanding client objectives, targeting risk-adjusted returns within set mandates, and leveraging research, data, and analytics — principles it also applies to sustainability and the low-carbon transition.

About Oculis

Oculis (Nasdaq: OCS; XICE: OCS) is a Swiss-headquartered biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for eye diseases, including DME, dry eye, uveitis, and acute optic neuritis. With operations in the U.S. and Iceland, its mission is to save sight, enhance patient quality of life, and deliver global impact through expert leadership.