Image Credit: University of Southern California (USC) Eye Institute Over the last two decades CIRM has supported research and helped advance potential treatments for macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness. Early grants One of the earliest was a 2007 SEED grant to David Hinton, MD, of the University of Southern California (USC). … Continue reading A CIRM-funded therapy for macular degeneration
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Luxa Biotechnology’s CIRM-funded Dry AMD Therapy Milestone
Credit: Shutterstock The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation to a promising new treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—a leading cause of vision loss. The therapy is being developed by Luxa Biotechnology and supported in part by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). What RMAT Designation Means RMAT designation … Continue reading Luxa Biotechnology’s CIRM-funded Dry AMD Therapy Milestone
Advancing cell therapy research for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD)
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded Luxa Biotechnology $4 million to support the Phase 1/2a study (NCT04627428) of RPESC‑RPE‑4W transplantation, an innovative therapy for dry age‑related macular degeneration. The funding will significantly expand manufacturing and clinical work in California. Dry AMD is a common eye disorder in people over 50 caused by deterioration … Continue reading Advancing cell therapy research for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD)
CIRM invests $50 million in clinical research, including trial for vision loss
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded $50.1 million to fund clinical-stage research projects to advance stem cell and gene therapy treatments for conditions ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to blood cancers, HIV/AIDS, and vision loss. The awards will support six projects in the Agency’s clinical program, which funds eligible stem cell and gene therapy-based projects … Continue reading CIRM invests $50 million in clinical research, including trial for vision loss
Lab-made retinas offer a new approach to battling vision loss
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. New research using 3D organoid models of the eye has uncovered clues about what happens in AMD and how to stop it. In AMD, a person loses their central vision because the light-sensitive cells in the macula, a part of the … Continue reading Lab-made retinas offer a new approach to battling vision loss
Study shows sleep deprivation impairs stem cells in the cornea
We spend about one‑third of our lives sleeping—or at least we should. Not getting enough sleep can have serious health consequences and is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Sleep deprived A study by the American Sleep Apnea Association found that 70 percent of Americans report too little sleep at least one … Continue reading Study shows sleep deprivation impairs stem cells in the cornea
Stem cell-derived retinal patch continues to show promising results two years post-implantation
Earlier this year, we wrote about the promising results of a phase 1 clinical trial aimed at replacing deteriorating retinal cells. These would be used for people suffering from age-related macular degeneration- one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide for people over 50. Now there’s even more good news! Highlighted in a news story on the … Continue reading Stem cell-derived retinal patch continues to show promising results two years post-implantation
How a tiny patch is helping restore vision
Researchers are working on a stem cell-based retinal implant that could be used for people with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. (Photo/ Britney O. Pennington) When Anna Kuehl began losing her vision, she feared losing the ability to read and go on long walks in nature—two of her favorite pastimes. Age-related macular degeneration Anna had … Continue reading How a tiny patch is helping restore vision
New Results Offer Hope for People with Advanced Vision Loss
Healthy Vision Month reminds us to protect our eye health. It also highlights the challenges millions of people with vision impairment face. In the United States, about 12 million people age 40 and older experience some form of vision loss. Losing vision can affect nearly every aspect of daily life. It can make reading, driving, … Continue reading New Results Offer Hope for People with Advanced Vision Loss
Freezing hope for people with dry age-related macular degeneration
A retina of a patient with macular degeneration. (Photo credit: Paul Parker/SPL) A new cryopreservation technique could help make a promising cell therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) more widely available. Researchers supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) developed a way to freeze retinal implants. The process could extend shelf life … Continue reading Freezing hope for people with dry age-related macular degeneration