OT Roundup: Optogenetics Nobel Prize, BRUNELLO, DRAGON, eye transplant

This edition of OT Roundup covers the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for optogenetics, phase 3 results for a novel diabetic macular edema (DME) drug discussed with Veeral Sheth, MD, a phase 3 readout in Stargardt disease, and lessons from the first total human eye transplant.

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Optogenetics earns the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to Karl Deisseroth, MD, PhD, Peter Hegemann, PhD, and Georg Nagel, PhD, for discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics. The approach underlies sonpiretigene isteparvovec (MCO-010; Nanoscope Therapeutics) for retinitis pigmentosa, which is under FDA review. At the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting, Kenneth C. Fan, MD, MBA, presented 4-year data showing vision gains of about 3 lines held through week 204.

>>> Watch the interview with Fan on MCO-010 here.

>>> Read the full Nobel Prize story here.

Remigromig meets noninferiority in DME

In the phase 2b/3 BRUNELLO trial, both doses of remigromig (MK-3000; Merck), a Wnt pathway agonist, met the noninferiority end point against ranibizumab in 984 adults with DME. Signs of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were more common with remigromig, at about 6.5% vs about 1%.

Sheth, of University Retina, said the drug is “telling the vessel to rebuild the wall,” and called it the first time non-inferior results have been seen with something other than an anti-VEGF. On the PDR signal, he said, “Personally, I don't read that as the drug causing damage.” For BAROLO, the twin trial, “two trials with the same picture is really what I need to kind of buy into this pathway.” He expects early use in eyes with persistent fluid, because “we don't generally treat treatment naive eyes with brand new treatments.”

>>> Watch the full interview with Donald J. D'Amico, MD, on BRUNELLO here.

>>> Read the September topline report here.

Tinlarebant slows lesion growth in Stargardt disease

Jacque Duncan, MD, discussed phase 3 DRAGON results for oral tinlarebant. The drug reduced growth of definitely decreased autofluorescence lesions by 35.7% vs placebo, while visual acuity changed little. Ocular adverse events included delayed dark adaptation and difficulty with night vision. The FDA set a February 12, 2027, target action date.

>>> Read the full DRAGON Q&A here.

What the first total human eye transplant has taught surgeons

Vaidehi Dedania, MD, of NYU Grossman School of Medicine reviewed the first total human eye transplant, performed in May 2023. Three years later, the eye is functioning, but the patient cannot see. “How do we get to have sight? You need a signal,” Dedania said, on the optic nerve barrier.

>>> Watch the interview with Dedania on surgical advances, remaining barriers and who could benefit first from eye transplant here.

Where to listen

OT Roundup is part of the Eyepod podcast network.

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New episodes of OT Roundup will be available every other Friday.