Clinical results of retina regeneration therapy announced

The initial clinical results were announced of a continuous study for non-thermal Retina Regeneration Therapy (Ellex 2RT, Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd.). The results showed the therapy's potential to make improvements in and stabilize visual acuity, as well as reduce retinal edema in patients with diabetic maculopathy and macular edema without causing any damage to the photoreceptors.

The results were presented by Peter Hamilton, MD, FRCOph, the principal clinical investigator in the Ellex 2RT research program in St. Thomas Hospital, London, at the Retina Subspecialty Day.

"The first phase clinical outcomes have confirmed [the therapy's] ability to treat diabetic maculopathy without damaging the neuro-retina," said John Marshall, PhD, principal investigator of the Ellex 2RT research program, the Frost Professor of ophthalmology at the Rayne Institute, and head of the academic department of ophthalmology at King's College, University of London. "This means that [retina regeneration therapy] may change the way diabetic maculopathy patients are treated and it shows potential for intervention in early stage age-related macular degeneration before significant loss of vision has occurred."

"We are encouraged by the first patient data presented as it provides the assurance we were looking for to expand [retina regeneration therapy] research," said Peter Falzon, Ellex chief executive officer. "The next phase clinical trials will be essential in establishing [its] potential as an early stage therapy for retinal disease."