PYC Therapeutics Limited announced that it has entered into the next phase of preclinical development for VP-001, its lead candidate for the treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa type 11 (RP11). The Company has commenced larger animal studies in rabbits, with non-human primate (NHP) studies expected to begin later in Third Quarter 2021. Data is expected to be released in early Fourth Quarter 2021. Building on earlier data, these studies will provide important information about the safety and tolerability (including defining the maximum tolerated dose ahead of the clinical trial), pharmacokinetic properties (informing the planned dosing interval in the clinical trial) and biodistribution of VP-001 in larger animal eyes. Data from these studies will provide the critical inputs enabling the Company to initiate formal Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicity studies which is the final step of preclinical development. Subsequent to the GLP studies, PYC anticipates submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in mid-2022 before commencing clinical development.