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, 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 with a suture loop at one end to anchor the implant 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.

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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.

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How ECT Works

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

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The cells continuously produce the therapeutic protein which diffuses out of the implant at the target site. ECT therefore enables the controlled, continuous delivery of therapeutic factors directly to the retina, bypassing the blood-retinal barrier.
Long-term protein delivery (up to 18 months) in the vitreous cavity of the eye has consistently been achieved when ECT devices containing human cells genetically engineered to secrete ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) have been implanted in a highly disparate mammalian species. These findings continue to be supported by recent clinical results. In Neurotech's ongoing Phase 2 studies in retinitis pigmentosa, to date, almost 10 implants have been explanted after 12 to 18 months. All of the devices contained viable, healthy CNTF cells supporting the product candidate’s long-term viability. Importantly, Neurotech believes these 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 dry form of age-related macular degeneration), retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, retinal vein occlusion and others.
• Anti-angiogenic factors for the treatment of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration and 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 (uveitis).