New Research demonstrates success with Gene Therapy for a form of Inherited Macular Degeneration

(c) UPenn News

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a gene therapy that successfully treats a form of macular degeneration in a canine model. The work sets the stage for translating the findings into a human therapy for an inherited disease that results in a progressive loss of central vision and which is currently untreatable.

Clearside's CLS-TA achieves endpoints in Phase 3 PEACHTREE trial

(c) Retinal Physician

Clearside Biomedical, Inc. has announced positive topline results from its pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of suprachoroidal CLS-TA in patients with macular edema associated with non-infectious uveitis.

NEI/NIH launch clinical trial to study AMD progression

(c) NEI / NIH

A new clinical study led by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, will follow 500 people over five years to learn more about the natural history of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By using the latest technologies to visualize structures within the eye and measure their function, researchers hope to identify biomarkers of disease progression, well before it advances to late-stage disease and causes vision loss.

RG7716 improves visual acuity in subjects with Diabetic Macular Edema in a Phase 2 study

(c)Pharmacodia.com

Genentech announced results from the Phase II BOULEVARD study, which is evaluating subjects with vision loss from diabetic macular edema (DME), where treatment with intravitreal RG7716 was observed to be clinically meaningful and statistically significant in improvement of visual acuity gains compared with ranibizumab alone.

GenSight received MHRA approval for testing Gene Therapy + Device in Retinitis Pigmentosa. May test patients with dry AMD

(c) GenSight Biologics

GenSight Biologics, a biopharma company focused on discovering and developing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, announced UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) acceptance of the Company’s Clinical Trial Application (CTA) to initiate the PIONEER Phase I/II study of GS030 in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).

Artificial Intelligence can predict blood pressure, age and smoking status based on retinal image

(c) Paul Parker/SPL via Nature

Eyes are said to be the window to the soul — but researchers at Google see them as indicators of a person’s health. The technology giant is using deep learning to predict a person’s blood pressure, age and smoking status by analyzing a photograph of their retina. Google’s computers glean clues from the arrangement of blood vessels — and a preliminary study suggests that the machines can use this information to predict whether someone is at risk of an impending heart attack.

White Paper by Angiogenesis Foundation suggests some key action points to help control AMD

The AngiogenesisFoundation has announced release of the white paper, titled "Improving Long-Term Patient Outcomes for Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration". The Foundation, leading retina specialists, AMD patient advocacy groups, AMD patient advocates, and caregivers contributed to the white paper. It identifies current barriers to and solutions for improving the long-term vision outcomes of people living with exudative age-related macular degeneration, more commonly known as wet AMD.