Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and Montreal, Quebec, December 15, 2021 — IACTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“IACTA”), an innovation leader in ophthalmic therapeutics, and TALLC Corporation Inc. (“TALLC”), a pioneering ophthalmology company focused on the growing unmet needs of patients with corneal and retinal conditions, today announced that they are entering into a strategic collaboration and licensing agreement. The agreement grants IACTA the use of TALLC’s proprietary SmartCelle™ micellar technology, a novel platform for pan-ocular drug delivery, for future clinical development. IACTA plans to utilize TALLC’s SmartCelle technology to deliver one or more of its novel ophthalmic therapeutics, as well as co-develop new ophthalmology therapeutic candidates that leverage IACTA’s formulation and clinical expertise with TALLC’s novel delivery technology. The collaboration also includes an option agreement, granting IACTA exclusive rights to negotiate a separate license agreement for the right to co-develop TALLC’s lead product candidate TA-A001, a novel anti-inflammatory anti-angiogenic molecule with analgesic properties in various disease state models.

“I am thrilled to be able to partner with TALLC, a company with a shared vision focused on addressing the growing and significantly underserved ocular pain market,” said Damon Burrows, Chief Executive Officer of IACTA Pharmaceuticals. “IACTA was formed with the mission of developing and commercializing innovative ocular therapies through novel compounds and utilizing leading drug delivery technologies, and we view this collaboration as the perfect synergy to realize the full potential of our ophthalmology pipeline. We are excited to explore how best to deploy the SmartCelle technology within our current pipeline, as well as the future co-development opportunities this partnership provides.”

TALLC’s proprietary SmartCelle pan-ocular drug delivery technology employs 30nm micelles that enable delivery of difficult to formulate drugs into corneal and retinal tissues after topical delivery. The company’s pipeline is led by SmartCelle TA-A001, a novel CB₂ receptor activator, delivered topically to treat the effects of dry eye syndrome and age-related macular degeneration.

“We are delighted to partner with the IACTA team for this important program. IACTA, with its in depth scientific and commercial understanding of the ophthalmic space is an ideal partner for TALLC as we drive towards further commercialization of the SmartCelle platform and TA-A001,” said Damon Smith, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of TALLC. “We look forward to working closely with the IACTA team and to co-developing SmartCelle versions of the IACTA pipeline.”

About TALLC, Inc.
TALLC is a Montreal-based developer of ophthalmic medicines actively engaged in the commercialization of SmartCelle TA-A001, and its pipeline of SmartCelle-delivered drug candidates, as treatments for acute and chronic inflammation. Focused initially on unmet needs in inflammatory front of eye indications, TALLC plans also to develop SmartCelle TA-A002 (mixed CB1/2 receptor agonist) and TA-A003 (endocannabinoid augmenting enzyme inhibitor) in other chronic conditions including macular degeneration and glaucoma. SmartCelle enables pan ocular delivery of drug candidates by topical application directly to the ocular surface, by injection or by insufflation. For more information, please visit https://tallcinc.com/.

About IACTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

IACTA is an innovation leader in ophthalmic therapeutics, led by former top executives from one of the leading eye care companies in the world. The company currently has four products in development for major market opportunities. IC 800 is a novel, non-opioid, dual enkephalinase inhibitor, being studied for the treatment of acute ocular pain. In addition, IACTA’s IC 265, is a SYK kinase inhibitor being developed as a potential novel treatment for dry eye disease. For more information, please visit www.iactapharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made under the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include the potential for IC 800 and IC 265 and the potential benefits of the collaboration. Any forward-looking statements in this press release represent the Company’s views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update this information as a result of future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

IACTA^® is a registered trademark of Iacta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. SmartCelle™ is a trademark of Altus Formulation licensed to TALLC Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.

Investor Contact:

Stephen Jasper
Gilmartin Group
(858) 525-2047
stephen@gilmartinir.com