Aura Biosciences Presents Phase 2 Data on Suprachoroidal Bel-sar for Early Choroidal Melanoma at Retina Society Meeting

Aura Biosciences, a biotechnology firm based in Boston and listed on NASDAQ as AURA, is advancing in the field of precision cancer therapies, focusing on retaining organ function. Notably, Aura has shared that pivotal Phase 2 study results on bel-sar (Belzupacap Sarotalocan), used for first-line treatment of small choroidal melanoma and indeterminate lesions, will be disclosed at The Retina Society Annual Meeting. This event will take place from September 11-15, 2024, in Lisbon, Portugal. The presentation, titled "Final Results of a Phase 2 Trial of Suprachoroidal Administration of Belzupacap Sarotalocan (bel-sar, AU-011) for Choroidal Melanoma," will be led by Dr. Ivana Kim from Mass Eye and Ear on September 12, 2024, from 11:04 am to 11:09 am Western European Daylight Time (6:04 am to 6:09 am Eastern Time).

Following this presentation, Aura is set to host a virtual ocular oncology investor event with notable speakers Dr. Ivana Kim and Dr. Prithvi Mruthyunjaya from Stanford University. This discussion will delve into the Phase 2 study data and is scheduled for September 12, 2024, at 8:00 am Eastern Time. The event will include a live question and answer session. The webcast will be accessible on the "Investors & Media" section of Aura’s website, with a replay available for 90 days post-presentation.

Dr. Ivana K. Kim, an esteemed member of Mass Eye and Ear's Retina Service, specializes in treating vitreoretinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and uveal melanoma. She is the Co-Director of the Harvard Ophthalmology Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Center of Excellence, focusing on advancing treatments for AMD through multidisciplinary collaboration. A Harvard Medical School alumna, Dr. Kim completed her residency in the Harvard Ophthalmology Residency Training Program and a retina fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear. Her research delves into genetic risk factors for AMD and methods to enhance visual outcomes in ocular melanoma patients. Dr. Kim also directs the Ocular Oncology Fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear, actively participating in the medical and surgical training of retina fellows and ophthalmology residents.

Dr. Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, a Professor of Ophthalmology and Radiation Oncology at Stanford University and Director of Ocular Oncology at the Byers Eye Institute, has a robust background in vitreoretinal surgery and ocular oncology. He completed prestigious fellowships in Vitreoretinal Surgery at Duke University and Ocular Oncology at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. Dr. Mruthyunjaya’s research includes ocular cancer imaging, genetics, and tumor biopsy innovations. He is heavily involved in early-phase clinical trials in ocular oncology and has introduced advanced treatment options at Stanford. Additionally, he holds leadership roles in organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the International Society of Ocular Oncology. At Stanford, he founded a state-of-the-art ocular oncology service and is committed to training future ophthalmologists and retinal surgeons.

Aura Biosciences aims to develop therapies that spare vision and organ function and improve outcomes for cancer patients. Their lead candidate, bel-sar, is in late-stage clinical development for treating choroidal melanoma and is also being explored for other cancers such as bladder cancer. The company is currently engaged in a global Phase 3 CoMpass trial evaluating bel-sar's efficacy as a vision-sparing therapy for early-stage choroidal melanoma and is headquartered in Boston, MA.