The ECT Implant

Neurotech's development programs are based on the Company's proprietary Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT). ECT uniquely enables the controlled, continuous delivery of biologics directly to the back of the eye, thereby overcoming a major obstacle in the treatment of retinal disease.

ECT implants consist of cells that have been genetically modified to produce a desired therapeutic factor that are encapsulated in a section of semi-permeable hollow fiber membrane. The implant has a suture loop at one end to anchor it to the sclera in the vitreo-retinal body inside the eye. The current product is 6 mm in length, roughly the size of a grain of rice.

View Animation
(Windows Media Video)

In contrast to gene therapy, ECT does not modify the host genome. The implant is surgically placed in the vitreous body of the eye as an out-patient procedure in about 15 to 20 minutes. The implant is sutured in a manner that allows for its retrieval when desired, providing an added level of safety as well as the ability to reverse or adjust therapy, if needed.

View Animation
(Windows Media Video)

How ECT Works

The diffusive characteristics of the ECT hollow fiber membrane are designed to promote long-term cell survival by allowing the influx of oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously preventing direct contact of the encapsulated cells with the cellular and molecular elements of the immune system.

View Animation
(Windows Media Video)

The cells continuously produce a therapeutic protein of interest which diffuses out of the implant at the target site. ECT therefore enables the controlled, continuous delivery of therapeutic factors directly to the retina, thereby passing the blood-retinal barrier.

Long-term protein delivery (up to 24 months) in the vitreous cavity of the eye has been shown for ECT devices containing human cells genetically engineered to secrete ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). These findings were observed in Neurotech's three Phase 2 studies in GA and RP in which a number of implants were explanted between 12 to 24 months following implantation. All of the devices contained viable, healthy CNTF cells supporting the product candidate’s long-term viability. Equally important is Neurotech’s believe that the findings regarding long-term cell viability could be broadly applicable to ECT technology across all product candidates.

ECT Applications

ECT-based products can be tailored to address the three main clinical manifestations of retinal diseases: degeneration of photoreceptors and/or ganglion cells in the neural retina, vascular proliferation and inflammation. A number of proteins have been discovered in the field of ophthalmology that possess powerful neurotrophic, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. These proteins have the potential to significantly slow, stabilize or halt disease processes in the eye. ECT represents a unique platform for the safe and effective delivery of many of these factors for the treatment of various chronic ophthalmic diseases as follows:

• Neurotrophic factors for the treatment of retinal degeneration in geographic atrophy (a serious condition associated with the atrophic (dry) form of age-related macular degeneration), retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma and others.
• Anti-angiogenic factors for the treatment of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, vascular proliferation in diabetic retinopathy and for the treatment of abnormal vascular permeability for various forms of macular edema.
• Anti-inflammatory factors for the treatment of ocular inflammations such as uveitis.