{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"157505","rtpr_id":"nGNX1kNJdZ-20261001","ticker":"OCS","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["OCS","CR5"],"title":"Oculis Joins the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Campaign to End MS ","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-10-01T06:00:00.333Z","article_body":"Oculis Joins the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Campaign to End MS\n\nOculis and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s campaign share a common\ngoal to accelerate breakthroughs in MS research and improve patients’\nquality of life\n\nZUG, Switzerland, October 1, 2026 -- Oculis Holding AG (Nasdaq: OCS / XICE:\nOCS) (“Oculis”), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on\nbreakthrough innovations to address significant unmet medical needs in\nneuro-ophthalmology, is partnering with the National Multiple Sclerosis\nSociety on its Campaign to End MS, as the industry partner focusing on Vision,\nofficially launching today, on October 1, 2026. This 5-year campaign aims to\naccelerate research breakthroughs, improve access to care, and create a future\nwhere no one lives with the uncertainty of multiple sclerosis (MS). By\nbringing together people affected by MS, researchers, healthcare leaders,\nadvocates, and supporters, the campaign seeks to translate scientific progress\ninto meaningful advances in treatment and care, while strengthening the\nresources and support available to the MS community. Oculis’ sponsorship\nreflects a shared commitment to advancing innovation, addressing unmet needs,\nand improving the lives of people affected by MS.\n\nAs part of the campaign, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is convening\nrespected MS thought leaders, health industry and corporate leaders,\nresearchers, and healthcare providers across three programs: a CEO Roundtable,\nBig Bets for Breakthroughs: The MS Research Symposium, and the Campaign to End\nMS Gala.\n\nRiad Sherif, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Oculis, said, \"Our sponsorship\nof the National MS Society's Campaign to End MS marks the beginning of what we\nbelieve will be a long-term partnership with an organization that has spent 80\nyears advancing research and care for people living with MS. We share the\nSociety's commitment to accelerating progress for people affected by MS and,\nthrough our Privosegtor development program, we are working to advance a\nmuch-needed neuroprotective treatment option for patients experiencing optic\nneuritis and acute MS relapses.”\n\nOculis is currently developing Privosegtor with the aim to provide the first\nneuroprotective therapy for optic neuritis (ON), a common MS relapse type and\noften the first manifestation of MS, with broad potential applicability in\nother neuro-ophthalmic and neurological diseases. Following the successful\nPhase 2 ACUITY trial, Oculis launched the PIONEER (Privosegtor Investigation\nin Optic Neuropathies Efficacy Evaluation Research) program, which includes\ntwo registrational trials in ON. In addition, following positive pre-IND FDA\nfeedback supporting Privosegtor’s development strategy for treating acute MS\nrelapses, Oculis is on track to submit the related IND in the fourth quarter\nof this year. The Company plans to host an R&D Day in Q4 to provide updates on\nits pipeline and development programs, including Privosegtor.\n\n- Ends -\n\nAbout Privosegtor \nPrivosegtor, a novel peptoid small-molecule candidate that crosses the\nblood-brain and retinal barriers, has the potential to become the first\nneuroprotective therapy for optic neuritis (ON) and other neuro-ophthalmic and\nneuro-axonal diseases. Positive results from the ACUITY Phase 2 trial showed\nPrivosegtor’s neuroprotective potential, as evidenced by improvements in\nvisual function, corroborated by anatomical preservation of the retina,\nincluding GCIPL and RNFL layers, and reduced neurofilament levels in the blood\nafter an acute episode of optic neuritis. Consistent results were observed in\nanimal models of glaucoma, optic neuritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS), where\nPrivosegtor preserved retinal ganglion cells and was associated with\nimprovements in mobility (clinical function disability) in the MS model.\n\nPrivosegtor has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. Food\nand Drug Administration (FDA) and Priority Medicines (PRIME) designation from\nthe European Medicines Agency (EMA) as well as Orphan Drug designation from\nboth the FDA and the EMA for ON. Privosegtor is currently being evaluated in\nOculis’ PIONEER (Privosegtor Investigation in Optic Neuropathies Efficacy\nEvaluation Research) program, which includes two registrational trials in ON\nand one registrational trial in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic\nneuropathy (NAION). Building on the ACUITY Phase 2 dataset in ON and\nconstructive FDA pre-IND feedback, Oculis is also planning an IND submission\nfor Privosegtor for the treatment of acute MS relapses.\n\nPrivosegtor is an investigational drug and has not received regulatory\napproval for commercial use in any country.\n\nAbout MS\n\nMS is a chronic immune-mediated disease affecting approximately 2.8 million\npeople worldwide, including around 850,000 in the U.S. alone.(1-3) It is\ncurrently managed using immunomodulators or disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)\nthat reduce the rate of relapses and therefore related relapse-associated\nworsening (RAW). However, relapses still persist for many patients, with an\nestimated 170,000 MS relapses occurring each year in the U.S.(4) During an\nacute relapse, neurologists commonly use a short course of high-dose\ncorticosteroids to reduce inflammation and shorten the episode, as is also\nstandard of care in optic neuritis. However, corticosteroids do not mitigate\nthe long-term disability, and recovery from relapses is often incomplete, such\nas in optic neuritis. There are currently no neuroprotective therapies\napproved for MS relapses, and there remains an urgent unmet medical need for\ntreatments that can prevent central nervous system damage.\n\nAbout Oculis\n\nOculis is a global biopharmaceutical company (Nasdaq: OCS; XICE: OCS) focused\non breakthrough innovations to address significant unmet medical needs in\nneuro-ophthalmology. Oculis’ highly differentiated late-stage clinical\npipeline focuses on two core product candidates. Privosegtor is a breakthrough\nneuroprotective candidate in the PIONEER program, which consists of studies\nintended to support registration plans for treatment of optic neuropathies,\nincluding optic neuritis (ON) and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic\nneuropathy (NAION). Privosegtor also has potential to be developed for\nadditional indications in other neuro-ophthalmic and neuro-axonal diseases.\nLicaminlimab is a novel, topical anti-TNFα in a registrational trial, and is\nbeing developed with a genotype-based approach for treating patients with dry\neye disease (DED). Headquartered in Switzerland with operations in the U.S.,\nIceland and Switzerland, Oculis is led by an experienced management team with\na successful track record and supported by leading international healthcare\ninvestors.\n\nFor more information, please visit: www.oculis.com\n\nAbout the National Multiple Sclerosis Society\nThe National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing\nmovement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds\ncutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides\nprograms and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. \n        \nOculis Contact\nMs. Sylvia Cheung, CFO\nsylvia.cheung@oculis.com\n\nInvestor Relations \nLifeSci Advisors\nCorey Davis, Ph.D.\ncdavis@lifesciadvisors.com\n\nMedia Relations\nICR Healthcare\nAmber Fennell \noculis@icrhealthcare.com\n\nCautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements\n\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements and information. For\nexample, statements regarding the potential benefits of the Company’s\nproduct candidates, including the potential for Privosegtor to become the\nfirst neuroprotection therapy for optic neuritis and its potential broad\napplicability across neurology, including in acute MS relapses, the\ninitiation, enrollment, timing, progress and results of current and future\nclinical trials, Oculis’ research and development programs, regulatory and\nbusiness strategy; Oculis’ future development plans; the timing or\nlikelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; and statements about market\nopportunity, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based on\nestimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Oculis and its\nmanagement, are inherently uncertain and are inherently subject to risks,\nvariability, and contingencies, many of which are beyond Oculis’ control.\nThese forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only\nand are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by an investor as,\na guarantee, assurance, prediction or definitive statement of a fact or\nprobability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to\npredict and will differ from assumptions. Results of earlier stage clinical\ntrials may not be replicated in subsequent clinical trials. All\nforward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other\nfactors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we\nexpected and/or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.\nForward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which\nare beyond the control of Oculis, including those set forth in the Risk\nFactors section of Oculis’ annual report on Form 20-F and any other\ndocuments filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies\nof these documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Oculis\nundertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes\nafter the date of this release, except as required by law.\n\nReferences:\n1. MS National Society\n2. Wallin et al., 2019, The prevalence of MS in the United States: A\npopulation-based estimate using health claims data - PubMed\n(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30770430/)\n3. McGinley et al., 2021, Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A\nReview - PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33620411/)\n4. Multiple sources on relapse rate (ARR) including: Ocrelizumab versus\nfingolimod after natalizumab cessation in multiple sclerosis: an observational\nstudy - PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34982200/)\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7193b7d7-a2c2-49b2-b135-d1eedeb5a38b)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX1kNJdZ-20261001","title":"Oculis Joins the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Campaign to End MS ","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"OCS","created":"2026-10-01T06:00:00.333Z","tickers":["OCS","CR5"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"Oculis Joins the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Campaign to End MS\n\nOculis and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s campaign share a common\ngoal to accelerate breakthroughs in MS research and improve patients’\nquality of life\n\nZUG, Switzerland, October 1, 2026 -- Oculis Holding AG (Nasdaq: OCS / XICE:\nOCS) (“Oculis”), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on\nbreakthrough innovations to address significant unmet medical needs in\nneuro-ophthalmology, is partnering with the National Multiple Sclerosis\nSociety on its Campaign to End MS, as the industry partner focusing on Vision,\nofficially launching today, on October 1, 2026. This 5-year campaign aims to\naccelerate research breakthroughs, improve access to care, and create a future\nwhere no one lives with the uncertainty of multiple sclerosis (MS). By\nbringing together people affected by MS, researchers, healthcare leaders,\nadvocates, and supporters, the campaign seeks to translate scientific progress\ninto meaningful advances in treatment and care, while strengthening the\nresources and support available to the MS community. Oculis’ sponsorship\nreflects a shared commitment to advancing innovation, addressing unmet needs,\nand improving the lives of people affected by MS.\n\nAs part of the campaign, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is convening\nrespected MS thought leaders, health industry and corporate leaders,\nresearchers, and healthcare providers across three programs: a CEO Roundtable,\nBig Bets for Breakthroughs: The MS Research Symposium, and the Campaign to End\nMS Gala.\n\nRiad Sherif, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Oculis, said, \"Our sponsorship\nof the National MS Society's Campaign to End MS marks the beginning of what we\nbelieve will be a long-term partnership with an organization that has spent 80\nyears advancing research and care for people living with MS. We share the\nSociety's commitment to accelerating progress for people affected by MS and,\nthrough our Privosegtor development program, we are working to advance a\nmuch-needed neuroprotective treatment option for patients experiencing optic\nneuritis and acute MS relapses.”\n\nOculis is currently developing Privosegtor with the aim to provide the first\nneuroprotective therapy for optic neuritis (ON), a common MS relapse type and\noften the first manifestation of MS, with broad potential applicability in\nother neuro-ophthalmic and neurological diseases. Following the successful\nPhase 2 ACUITY trial, Oculis launched the PIONEER (Privosegtor Investigation\nin Optic Neuropathies Efficacy Evaluation Research) program, which includes\ntwo registrational trials in ON. In addition, following positive pre-IND FDA\nfeedback supporting Privosegtor’s development strategy for treating acute MS\nrelapses, Oculis is on track to submit the related IND in the fourth quarter\nof this year. The Company plans to host an R&D Day in Q4 to provide updates on\nits pipeline and development programs, including Privosegtor.\n\n- Ends -\n\nAbout Privosegtor \nPrivosegtor, a novel peptoid small-molecule candidate that crosses the\nblood-brain and retinal barriers, has the potential to become the first\nneuroprotective therapy for optic neuritis (ON) and other neuro-ophthalmic and\nneuro-axonal diseases. Positive results from the ACUITY Phase 2 trial showed\nPrivosegtor’s neuroprotective potential, as evidenced by improvements in\nvisual function, corroborated by anatomical preservation of the retina,\nincluding GCIPL and RNFL layers, and reduced neurofilament levels in the blood\nafter an acute episode of optic neuritis. Consistent results were observed in\nanimal models of glaucoma, optic neuritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS), where\nPrivosegtor preserved retinal ganglion cells and was associated with\nimprovements in mobility (clinical function disability) in the MS model.\n\nPrivosegtor has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. Food\nand Drug Administration (FDA) and Priority Medicines (PRIME) designation from\nthe European Medicines Agency (EMA) as well as Orphan Drug designation from\nboth the FDA and the EMA for ON. Privosegtor is currently being evaluated in\nOculis’ PIONEER (Privosegtor Investigation in Optic Neuropathies Efficacy\nEvaluation Research) program, which includes two registrational trials in ON\nand one registrational trial in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic\nneuropathy (NAION). Building on the ACUITY Phase 2 dataset in ON and\nconstructive FDA pre-IND feedback, Oculis is also planning an IND submission\nfor Privosegtor for the treatment of acute MS relapses.\n\nPrivosegtor is an investigational drug and has not received regulatory\napproval for commercial use in any country.\n\nAbout MS\n\nMS is a chronic immune-mediated disease affecting approximately 2.8 million\npeople worldwide, including around 850,000 in the U.S. alone.(1-3) It is\ncurrently managed using immunomodulators or disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)\nthat reduce the rate of relapses and therefore related relapse-associated\nworsening (RAW). However, relapses still persist for many patients, with an\nestimated 170,000 MS relapses occurring each year in the U.S.(4) During an\nacute relapse, neurologists commonly use a short course of high-dose\ncorticosteroids to reduce inflammation and shorten the episode, as is also\nstandard of care in optic neuritis. However, corticosteroids do not mitigate\nthe long-term disability, and recovery from relapses is often incomplete, such\nas in optic neuritis. There are currently no neuroprotective therapies\napproved for MS relapses, and there remains an urgent unmet medical need for\ntreatments that can prevent central nervous system damage.\n\nAbout Oculis\n\nOculis is a global biopharmaceutical company (Nasdaq: OCS; XICE: OCS) focused\non breakthrough innovations to address significant unmet medical needs in\nneuro-ophthalmology. Oculis’ highly differentiated late-stage clinical\npipeline focuses on two core product candidates. Privosegtor is a breakthrough\nneuroprotective candidate in the PIONEER program, which consists of studies\nintended to support registration plans for treatment of optic neuropathies,\nincluding optic neuritis (ON) and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic\nneuropathy (NAION). Privosegtor also has potential to be developed for\nadditional indications in other neuro-ophthalmic and neuro-axonal diseases.\nLicaminlimab is a novel, topical anti-TNFα in a registrational trial, and is\nbeing developed with a genotype-based approach for treating patients with dry\neye disease (DED). Headquartered in Switzerland with operations in the U.S.,\nIceland and Switzerland, Oculis is led by an experienced management team with\na successful track record and supported by leading international healthcare\ninvestors.\n\nFor more information, please visit: www.oculis.com\n\nAbout the National Multiple Sclerosis Society\nThe National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing\nmovement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds\ncutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides\nprograms and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. \n        \nOculis Contact\nMs. Sylvia Cheung, CFO\nsylvia.cheung@oculis.com\n\nInvestor Relations \nLifeSci Advisors\nCorey Davis, Ph.D.\ncdavis@lifesciadvisors.com\n\nMedia Relations\nICR Healthcare\nAmber Fennell \noculis@icrhealthcare.com\n\nCautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements\n\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements and information. For\nexample, statements regarding the potential benefits of the Company’s\nproduct candidates, including the potential for Privosegtor to become the\nfirst neuroprotection therapy for optic neuritis and its potential broad\napplicability across neurology, including in acute MS relapses, the\ninitiation, enrollment, timing, progress and results of current and future\nclinical trials, Oculis’ research and development programs, regulatory and\nbusiness strategy; Oculis’ future development plans; the timing or\nlikelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; and statements about market\nopportunity, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based on\nestimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Oculis and its\nmanagement, are inherently uncertain and are inherently subject to risks,\nvariability, and contingencies, many of which are beyond Oculis’ control.\nThese forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only\nand are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by an investor as,\na guarantee, assurance, prediction or definitive statement of a fact or\nprobability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to\npredict and will differ from assumptions. Results of earlier stage clinical\ntrials may not be replicated in subsequent clinical trials. All\nforward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other\nfactors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we\nexpected and/or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.\nForward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which\nare beyond the control of Oculis, including those set forth in the Risk\nFactors section of Oculis’ annual report on Form 20-F and any other\ndocuments filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies\nof these documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Oculis\nundertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes\nafter the date of this release, except as required by law.\n\nReferences:\n1. MS National Society\n2. Wallin et al., 2019, The prevalence of MS in the United States: A\npopulation-based estimate using health claims data - PubMed\n(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30770430/)\n3. McGinley et al., 2021, Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A\nReview - PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33620411/)\n4. Multiple sources on relapse rate (ARR) including: Ocrelizumab versus\nfingolimod after natalizumab cessation in multiple sclerosis: an observational\nstudy - PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34982200/)\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7193b7d7-a2c2-49b2-b135-d1eedeb5a38b)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-01T06:00:00.419685482Z","server_sent_at_ms":1790834400419},"received_at":"2026-10-01T06:00:00.472Z","source_url":null},"analysis":{"id":"146163","press_release_id":"157505","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences","sector":"Health Care"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"partnership","narrative":"Oculis is partnering with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as the industry partner for Vision in its 5-year Campaign to End MS, launching October 1, 2026.\n\nThe sponsorship underscores Oculis' Privosegtor program, which aims to deliver the first neuroprotective therapy for optic neuritis, and includes plans for an IND submission for acute MS relapses in Q4.\n\nThe release is largely promotional with no financial terms; modest reputational benefit rather than a direct economic catalyst.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Charitable MS Society sponsorship raises Privosegtor visibility ahead of Q4 IND filing and R&D Day."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"ms_prevalence_us":850000,"annual_us_ms_relapses":170000,"campaign_duration_years":5,"ms_prevalence_worldwide":2800000}},"quotedText":"Our sponsorship of the National MS Society's Campaign to End MS marks the beginning of what we believe will be a long-term partnership with an organization that has spent 80 years advancing research and care for people living with MS.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Riad Sherif, M.D.","role":"CEO of Oculis"},{"name":"Sylvia Cheung","role":"CFO of Oculis"}],"products":["Privosegtor","Licaminlimab"],"companies":[{"name":"Oculis Holding AG","ticker":"OCS","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"National Multiple Sclerosis Society","relationship":"campaign partner"},{"name":"LifeSci Advisors","relationship":"investor relations"},{"name":"ICR Healthcare","relationship":"media relations"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"Charitable sponsorship/awareness partnership with the National MS Society; no financial terms, no regulatory or clinical catalysts. Mildly supportive of Privosegtor's MS-related pipeline visibility but no direct economic impact."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"OCS"},"globalImportance":12,"audienceRelevance":10,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"small-cap-biotech","eventGravity":"charitable-sponsorship","issuerAuthored":true,"clinicalCatalyst":"none-immediate"}},"event_type":"partnership","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"neutral","material_impact_score":1,"narrative":"Oculis is partnering with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as the industry partner for Vision in its 5-year Campaign to End MS, launching October 1, 2026.\n\nThe sponsorship underscores Oculis' Privosegtor program, which aims to deliver the first neuroprotective therapy for optic neuritis, and includes plans for an IND submission for acute MS relapses in Q4.\n\nThe release is largely promotional with no financial terms; modest reputational benefit rather than a direct economic catalyst.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"ms_prevalence_us":850000,"annual_us_ms_relapses":170000,"campaign_duration_years":5,"ms_prevalence_worldwide":2800000}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Riad Sherif, M.D.","role":"CEO of Oculis"},{"name":"Sylvia Cheung","role":"CFO of Oculis"}],"products":["Privosegtor","Licaminlimab"],"companies":[{"name":"Oculis Holding AG","ticker":"OCS","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"National Multiple Sclerosis Society","relationship":"campaign partner"},{"name":"LifeSci Advisors","relationship":"investor relations"},{"name":"ICR Healthcare","relationship":"media relations"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-01T06:00:05.853Z","global_importance":12,"audience_relevance":10,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"small-cap-biotech","eventGravity":"charitable-sponsorship","issuerAuthored":true,"clinicalCatalyst":"none-immediate"}},"durationMs":5356,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}