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Research into gene therapy for the treatment of dry age related macular degeneration (AMD) has taken another step forward. OCB Retina Specialist Jeffrey Heier, MD, recently performed the very first two surgeries using a new proprietary OrbitTM Subretinal Delivery System (Orbit SDS), by Gyroscope Therapeutics, to deliver the company’s investigational gene therapy, GT005, to patients with geographic atrophy (GA) an advanced form of dry AMD that results in progressive and irreversible loss of retinal tissue. This research milestone is a significant breakthrough, providing hope for patients who develop GA, as there are no other treatment options available for this disease.
The first surgery was completed in October 2020 for a patient enrolled in the ongoing Phase I/II FOCUS Trial and the second surgery was completed in early November 2020 for a patient enrolled in Phase II of the HORIZON Trial. Both studies are being conducted at OCB and are evaluating gene therapy treatment for GA.
“Dry AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss globally and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for this disease. Delivering gene therapy directly to the site of disease through a subretinal injection is a proven approach. However, the current method requires a vitrectomy. The Orbit SDS is an innovative delivery system that could address some of the challenges surgeons and patients may experience with a vitrectomy,” said Dr. Heier, Director of Retina Research at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston
“I have been involved with the development of the Orbit SDS for several years, and I am excited to see its introduction into subretinal delivery of what we hope to be an important therapeutic intervention,” said Dr. Heier.
Learn more about these studies:
Learn more about age related macular degeneration research at OCB:
http://eyeboston.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OCB-Nwsltr-winter2019-.pdf
