Latest news with #Eyecelerator
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Optigo Biotherapeutics Wins People's Choice Award at Eyecelerator and Presents Compelling Preclinical Data on Long-Acting Intravitreal Biologics at the ARVO 2025 Conference
Optigo Biotherapeutics Inc. Optigo wins People's Choice Award at the recent Eyecelerator meeting in Park City for proprietary drug anchoring, potential to transform intravitreal drug delivery Preclinical data demonstrates sustained efficacy and safety for six months or more following a single injection VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optigo Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering long-acting, bi-functional intravitreal biologics, today announced that it has been awarded the People's Choice Award at Eyecelerator 2025 in Park City, Utah. Concurrently, the company presented positive preclinical data at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 Annual Meeting, supporting the potential of its proprietary anti-VEGF molecules to achieve dosing intervals of six months or longer in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). 'Our bi-functional intravitreal biologics are designed to fundamentally address the limitations of current anti-VEGF therapies by dramatically reducing the dosing frequency,' said Houman Hemmati, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of Optigo Bio. 'The recognition from industry peers at Eyecelerator, along with the compelling preclinical data we shared at ARVO, underscore both the innovation and real-world potential of our platform.' The company's proprietary biologics are fusion proteins that combine derisked therapeutics such as aflibercept with an albumin or hyaluronan anchoring domain. In VEGF challenge animal models, these bifunctional molecules demonstrate 2-3x longer half-life compared to aflibercept alone, were not proinflammatory, and were well tolerated with a favorable safety profile. Dr. David Boyer, retina specialist at Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, commented: 'I'm particularly excited about the data Optigo Bio presented at ARVO. The favorable preclinical safety profile combined with their anchoring technology, which enhances half-life and efficacy, represents a promising new treatment option for patients with nAMD and other retinal neovascular diseases.' Optigo's Eyecelerator presentation— 'Developing Breakthrough Therapies to Restore Vision'—was delivered by Dr. Hemmati during the Retina TKI and Drug Delivery Showcase and was well-received by attendees for its bold, yet evidence-backed approach to solving one of the biggest challenges of chronic intravitreal therapy. Ali Ardakani, CEO and Co-founder of Optigo Bio, added: 'While anti-VEGF therapies have significantly reduced blindness globally, real-world outcomes are limited by the burdensome injection schedule. Our platform addresses this bottleneck directly by offering biologics that deliver real efficacy with fewer injections.'
Hamilton Spectator
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Optigo Biotherapeutics Wins People's Choice Award at Eyecelerator and Presents Compelling Preclinical Data on Long-Acting Intravitreal Biologics at the ARVO 2025 Conference
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Optigo Biotherapeutics , a biotechnology company pioneering long-acting, bi-functional intravitreal biologics, today announced that it has been awarded the People's Choice Award at Eyecelerator 2025 in Park City, Utah. Concurrently, the company presented positive preclinical data at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 Annual Meeting , supporting the potential of its proprietary anti-VEGF molecules to achieve dosing intervals of six months or longer in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). 'Our bi-functional intravitreal biologics are designed to fundamentally address the limitations of current anti-VEGF therapies by dramatically reducing the dosing frequency,' said Houman Hemmati, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of Optigo Bio. 'The recognition from industry peers at Eyecelerator, along with the compelling preclinical data we shared at ARVO, underscore both the innovation and real-world potential of our platform.' The company's proprietary biologics are fusion proteins that combine derisked therapeutics such as aflibercept with an albumin or hyaluronan anchoring domain. In VEGF challenge animal models, these bifunctional molecules demonstrate 2-3x longer half-life compared to aflibercept alone, were not proinflammatory, and were well tolerated with a favorable safety profile. Dr. David Boyer, retina specialist at Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, commented: 'I'm particularly excited about the data Optigo Bio presented at ARVO. The favorable preclinical safety profile combined with their anchoring technology, which enhances half-life and efficacy, represents a promising new treatment option for patients with nAMD and other retinal neovascular diseases.' Optigo's Eyecelerator presentation— 'Developing Breakthrough Therapies to Restore Vision' —was delivered by Dr. Hemmati during the Retina TKI and Drug Delivery Showcase and was well-received by attendees for its bold, yet evidence-backed approach to solving one of the biggest challenges of chronic intravitreal therapy. Ali Ardakani, CEO and Co-founder of Optigo Bio, added: 'While anti-VEGF therapies have significantly reduced blindness globally, real-world outcomes are limited by the burdensome injection schedule. Our platform addresses this bottleneck directly by offering biologics that deliver real efficacy with fewer injections.' Optigo's technology is well-positioned to capture a significant portion of the growing $14B anti-VEGF market by improving patient adherence and outcomes. Optigo continues to actively engage with global pharmaceutical companies, biotech partners, and investors to accelerate development and bring this transformative technology to market. Interested parties can view data and updates at: About Optigo Biotherapeutics Optigo Biotherapeutics is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company developing a proprietary platform that anchors intravitreal biologics to endogenous proteins like albumin and hyaluronan, significantly prolonging half-life and therapeutic activity. The company's lead program is a long-acting, bi-functional anti-VEGF therapy aimed at reducing injection burden in blinding retinal diseases such as nAMD, DME, and RVO. Optigo's modular platform has broad applicability across retinal biologics requiring extended duration. Learn more at Media Contact: Kellie Shuck 682.553.7283 kellie@
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Next-Gen Sealant Speeds Recovery After Retinal Detachment, Study Finds
A breakthrough in the treatment of retinal detachment—a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss—was announced by Pykus Therapeutics at the Eyecelerator meeting, the innovation conference sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This groundbreaking innovation involves a novel retinal hydrogel sealant that has the potential to significantly improve treatment and recovery for patients experiencing retinal detachment, offering new hope for patients with this vision-threatening emergency. Savannah Guthrie, a main co-anchor of NBC's Today show, shared her experience after having a traumatic retinal detachment from having a toy poke her in the eye. She explained that after having surgery, she had to lay face down and was not able to see after having a bubble placed in her eye to reattach her retina. Because she had to lay face down after her surgery, she had limitations in what she was able to do. This new approach presented at the Eyecelerator meeting on Friday May 2nd 2025 in Park City, Utah will dramatically change the experience of patients like Guthrie and Sugar Ray Leonard, who both experienced traumatic retinal detachment. 'PYK-2101 has the opportunity to be the biggest advance in retina surgery in more than 30 years because it gives agency back to the patients, allowing them to choose when, where, and how they repair their retinal detachments without worrying about lifestyle impact' said Dr. Darius M. Moshfeghi, Chief of the Retina Division at Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University. Your retina is similar to the film in a camera; it lines the back of your eye and captures the light and images you see. Retinal detachment occurs when this layer peels away from its normal position, much like wallpaper coming loose from a wall. When this happens, the retina is unable to send clear signals to your brain. You might notice sudden flashes of light, "floaters," or even a shadow or curtain coming down to obscure part of your vision. Because the retina must be firmly in place to function properly, a detachment is considered a medical emergency. Retinal detachment can occur spontaneously or after trauma. Retinal detachment typically does not improve on its own and could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated right away. The longer you wait for treatment, the more likely you are to have permanent vision loss. You should contact your eye doctor right away, if you have one. If you don't have an eye doctor or you can't reach the eye doctor, you should go to the emergency room immediately. While waiting for care, try not to make sudden head movements. Keeping your head still in a stable position can help prevent detachment from worsening. Once you have been evaluated by an ophthalmologist, they will discuss the best treatment plan for your situation. Possible treatments include laser therapy, cryopexy, pneumatic retinopexy, vitrectomy, scleral buckle procedure, or a number of other procedures. Each of these treatments has its own advantages, and the ophthalmologist will determine which option is suitable for you based on their examination findings. Some of these treatments require a gas bubble to be put into your eye as part of the treatment. If a gas bubble was used to repair the retinal detachment, then you typically have to lay face down for days to weeks. This can contribute to neck and back strain, pressure sores and skin irritation, discomfort with basic activities, sleep disruption and fatigue, as well as emotional stress and isolation. Additionally, some patients may experience problems with breathing or sinus discomfort. With these procedures, it can be many weeks before your sight is actually restored. 'It was not that long ago that patients who needed cataract surgery had to be admitted to the hospital. Now, we have foldable lenses with next day improvement in vision,' said Tomasz Stryjewski MD, a Board certified vitreo-retinal surgeon who is co-founder and chief scientific officer at Pykus Therapeutics. 'But retinal detachment surgery has been stuck for the last 30 years— patients are incapacitated while a gas bubble floats in their eye for weeks or even months after surgery. Surely there is another way to do this' added Dr. Stryjewski. By providing a biodegradable, vision-sparing alternative that directly seals retinal breaks, PYK-2101 is designed to address some of the major drawbacks associated with traditional retinal detachment surgery. This innovative approach eliminates the need for face-down positioning, potentially leading to faster visual recovery. Data presented at the Eyecelerator conference showed a 91% retinal reattachment rate in the per-protocol group and a 73% rate in the intent-to-treat population. There were no serious adverse events or significant safety concerns reported. Additionally, no direct effects on eye pressure were observed, which has been a limiting factor for similar technology in the past. Visual recovery was notably rapid, indicating the potential to significantly shorten recovery time for patients. In their clinical trial, patients returned to work as soon as one week after the surgery. 'We are thrilled with the results shown to date from our pilot clinical trial and look forward to sharing additional data upon trial completion,' noted Dr. Stefater, the president and cofounder of Pykus Therapeutics. "PYK-2101 could offer a transformative improvement in retinal detachment surgery. By improving vision and eliminating face-down positioning, this product could dramatically improve patient outcomes and quality of life' said Dr. Dean Eliott who is the Stelios Evangelos Gragoudas Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Director of the Retina Fellowship at Harvard/Mass. Eye and Ear. 'Following surgery, patients currently must remain in a prone, 'face-down' position almost 24 hours per day, must contend with work and travel restrictions, and have poor vision for weeks following surgery. By improving vision and eliminating 'face-down' positioning, this product could offer a transformative improvement in retinal detachment surgery," he added. With nearly two million retinal surgeries performed globally each year, and retinal detachment being a leading cause of such surgeries, PYK-2101 could fill a critical gap in the standard-of-care—offering a safer, faster, and more comfortable recovery process for patients. Indeed, this innovation has the potential to be a generational advance for this field. By sealing retinal tears directly—without the need for long periods in a face-down position—patients can look forward to faster visual recovery, fewer lifestyle disruptions, and a smoother healing journey. As clinical trials continue to confirm its safety and effectiveness, this next-generation retinal sealant may transform how surgeons treat retinal detachment and, most importantly, how patients experience their path back to clear vision and everyday life.
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Ocugen to Present on Modifier Gene Therapy Platform at Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2025 Annual Meeting and Retina World Congress
MALVERN, Pa., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases, today announced that the Company will present on its innovative modifier gene therapy platform, including OCU400 for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (Phase 3 LiMeliGhT clinical trial), OCU410ST for the treatment of Stargardt disease (Phase 2/3 pivotal confirmatory clinical trial), and OCU410 for the treatment of geographic atrophy (Phase 2 ArMaDa clinical trial), at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 Annual Meeting at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah from May 4-8, 2025, and Retina World Congress at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from May 8-11, 2025. 'We look forward to sharing more about the potential of our modifier gene therapy platform and the meaningful results we are seeing in the clinic during these two important meetings for the retina community,' said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of Ocugen. 'Ocugen remains on track to deliver on our commitment to file three Biologics License Applications (BLAs)/Marketing Authorization Applications (MAAs) in the next three years—potentially addressing significant unmet medical need for large patient populations through our gene-agnostic approach.' The ARVO Annual Meeting is a premiere gathering for eye and vision scientists from across the globe, students, and those in affiliated fields to share the latest research findings and collaborate on innovative solutions. Retina World Congress brings together leading retina specialists from every continent to achieve a global scientific and clinical exchange in retinal health. Ocugen's presence in Utah kicks off with the Company Showcase at Eyecelerator, presented by Dr. Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen, and continues through presentations and thought leadership engagement at ARVO. Eyecelerator @ Park City 2025 Session: Retina—Gene Therapy and Novel Mechanisms of Action Showcase Location: Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, Strawberry Ballroom, Park City, UT Date: Friday, May 2, 2025 Time: 2:06 p.m. MDT Presenter: Dr. Huma Qamar ARVO Exhibitor Education Forum Two-Year Follow-Up of a Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial for the Safety and Efficacy of OCU400 Novel Modifier Gene Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa Location: Exhibitor Floor, Section 1037 Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 Time: 2 p.m. MDT Presenter: Benjamin Bakall, MD, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Arizona, College of Medicine–Phoenix, and Director for Clinical Research, Director for The Inherited Retinal Disease and Visual Function Clinic, Associated Retina Consultants Safety and Efficacy of OCU410ST: A Phase 1/2 Trial of a Novel Modifier Gene Therapy for Stargardt Disease (GARDian) Location: Exhibitor Floor, Section 1037 Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Time: 2 p.m. MDT Presenter: Syed M. Shah, MD, FACS, Vice Chair for Research and Digital Medicine, Director of Retina Service at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin An Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Novel Modifier Gene Therapy OCU410 for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Location: Exhibitor Floor, Section 1037 Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Time: 2 p.m. MDT Presenter: Neena Haider, Ph.D., Faculty Harvard Medical School and Founder, CEO, Shifa Precision Paper Session Preliminary Safety and Efficacy of OCU410 for Treatment of Geographic Atrophy: Phase 1/2 OCU410: The Age-related Macular Degeneration (ArMaDa) Study Update Presentation Number: 3675 Session Number and Title: 358/AMD Clinical research II Location: Ballroom J Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Time: 4:15 p.m. MDT Presenter: Syed M. Shah, MD, FACS, Vice Chair for Research and Digital Medicine, Director of Retina Service at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin Poster Session A0513: Safety and Efficacy of OCU410ST for the Treatment of Stargardt Disease: Phase 1/2 Study Update Location: Hall A-E Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 Time: 2 p.m. MDT Presenter: Ramiro Maldonado, MD, Duke Center for Ophthalmic Genetics, Duke Pediatric Retina, Adult vitreo-Retinal diseases Dr. Qamar will represent Ocugen at Retina World Congress to share the Company presentation and serve alongside notable retinal surgeons and industry peers during a panel discussion. Retina World Congress Retina Unplugged Inherited and Rare Retinal Diseases Session Moderators: Rishi P. Singh, MD, FASRS and Kourous A. Rezaei, MD Location: Grand Ballroom Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 Time: 10:35 am – 11:12 a.m. EDT Ocugen is committed to bringing game-changing therapies to treat inherited retinal diseases as well as blindness diseases affecting millions to market and working even harder to provide access to patients globally. About Ocugen, Inc. Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient's lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at and follow us on X and LinkedIn. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines,which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as 'predicts,' 'believes,' 'potential,' 'proposed,' 'continue,' 'estimates,' 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'intends,' 'may,' 'could,' 'might,' 'will,' 'should,' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities Contact: Tiffany Hamilton AVP, Head of Communications [email protected]
Business Wire
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Lineage to Present at 2025 Eyecelerator Meeting Sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic cell therapies for unmet medical needs, today announced that Brian M. Culley, Lineage's Chief Executive Officer, has been invited to join presenters from REGENXBIO Inc., Regenerative Patch Technologies, LLC, Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and others, as part of the ' I Shall Be Released: Novel Drug Delivery Approaches for Glaucoma and Retina ' panel at Eyecelerator@ Park City 2025. The panel will take place on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm MDT and is being chaired by Allen C. Ho, MD FACS FASRS, Eyecelerator Retina Program Director and Wills Eye Hospital Attending Surgeon and Director of Retina Research, Professor of Ophthalmology, Thomas Jefferson University, Mid Atlantic Retina. Eyecelerator@ Park City 2025 is being held on May 2, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt, Deer Valley, Utah, in partnership with the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). The Eyecelerator@ Park City 2025 panel will be available on the Events and Presentations section of Lineage's website, following the conclusion of the Eyecelerator conference. About Eyecelerator Eyecelerator brings the future of ophthalmology into focus. A partnership between the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), Eyecelerator advances eye care innovation by connecting mission-driven entrepreneurs, investors, physicians, and business leaders through next-generation business conferences. Eyecelerator 2025 will provide a day of insightful, KOL-driven programs, including the latest industry advancements, investment trends, and innovative products disrupting eye care. For more information visit or follow the organization on Twitter: @Eyecelerator. About the American Academy of Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, the organization protects sight and empowers lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. AAO innovates to advance the ophthalmology profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. The mission of the AAO is to protect sight and empower lives by serving as an advocate for patients and the public, leading ophthalmic education, and advancing the profession of ophthalmology. For more information visit or follow the organization on Twitter: @AAO_ophth or @AcademyEyeSmart. About Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel, 'off-the-shelf,' cell therapies to address unmet medical needs. Lineage's programs are based on its proprietary cell-based technology platform and associated development and manufacturing capabilities. From this platform, Lineage designs, develops, manufactures, and tests specialized human cells with anatomical and physiological functions similar or identical to cells found naturally in the human body. These cells are created by applying directed differentiation protocols to established, well-characterized, and self-renewing pluripotent cell lines. These protocols generate cells with characteristics associated with specific and desired developmental lineages. Cells derived from such lineages are transplanted into patients in an effort to replace or support cells that are absent or dysfunctional due to degenerative disease, aging, or traumatic injury, and to restore or augment the patient's functional activity. Lineage's neuroscience focused pipeline currently includes: (i) OpRegen ®, a retinal pigment epithelial cell therapy in Phase 2a development under a worldwide collaboration with Roche and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration; (ii) OPC1, an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell therapy in Phase 1/2a development for the treatment of spinal cord injuries; (iii) ReSonance™ (ANP1), an auditory neuronal progenitor cell therapy for the potential treatment of auditory neuropathy; (iv) PNC1, a photoreceptor neural cell therapy for the potential treatment of vision loss due to photoreceptor dysfunction or damage; and (v) RND1, a novel hypoimmune induced pluripotent stem cell line being developed under a gene editing partnership. For more information, please visit or follow the company on X/Twitter @LineageCell.
