Press Releases
April 17, 2007
Neurotech Initiates two Phase II/III Clinical Trials of NT-501 for
the Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa
NeurotechTM, Inc. Lincoln, RI (April 17, 2007)
– Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company
specializing in the development of innovative sight-saving therapeutics
for chronic retinal diseases, announced today that enrollment has
begun for two Phase II/III clinical trials involving NT-501, the
Company’s lead Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) product
for the treatment of visual loss associated with retinitis pigmentosa.
These trials are part of the company’s RENOIR* series of clinical
studies. One trial will include patients with an earlier stage of
the disease, while the other will include patients at a later stage
of the disease.
NT-501 is an intraocular, polymer implant containing human retinal
epithelial cells genetically modified to secrete Ciliary Neurotrophic
Factor (CNTF). The implant is designed to continuously release CNTF
directly into the back of the eye for sustained periods of time.
The Phase II/III trials are randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled
dose ranging studies that will evaluate the efficacy and safety
of the CNTF implant and will be conducted at fourteen sites throughout
the United States.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of inherited
eye diseases that affect the retina. RP causes the degeneration
of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Photoreceptor cells capture
and process light helping us to see. As these cells degenerate and
die, patients experience progressive vision loss. Besides high doses
of Vitamin A that have been shown to provide some benefit for RP
patients, there is no known way to halt the degeneration of the
retina or cure the disease.
“We are especially pleased to be in a position to begin enrollment
of these trials involving NT-501, a potentially valuable therapeutic
tool for the treatment of RP. This disease robs the vision of many
who are in the prime of their lives” stated Ted Danse, President
and CEO of Neurotech.
* Retinal Neurotrophic Ocular Implant Research Studies
Further information about the trials can be found on the RENOIR
website at http://www.RenoirRetinalStudies.com.
In addition, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is working closely
with Neurotech by disseminating information within the RP community
and by providing support for various aspects of the clinical development
for these trials.
“Neurotech’s treatment has the potential to save the
vision of many people affected by a variety of retinal degenerative
diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome”
said Stephen Rose, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer, Foundation Fighting
Blindness. “We are very excited about this promising, emerging
treatment with its potential to help many people, regardless of
the underlying genetic cause of their disease.”
About Neurotech
Neurotech is a privately-held biotechnology company dedicated to
the development of sight-saving therapeutics for chronic retinal
diseases. Retinal diseases represent significant unmet medical needs
for which new medical therapies are the largest market opportunity
in ophthalmology.
Neurotech’s lead product (NT-501) is in clinical development
for the treatment of retinal degeneration, including retinitis pigmentosa,
an inherited disease leading to blindness, and atrophic macular
degeneration (dry AMD). Neurotech is also evaluating other factors
that can be used with its proprietary delivery technology, Encapsulated
Cell Technology (ECT), to treat additional retinal diseases.
The company was founded in France as Neurotech S.A., and in June
2006 moved its legal domicile to Delaware, USA, to become more closely
aligned with its research, development, manufacturing and business
operations in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
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