Trials to test efficacy of ocular implants

Lincoln, RI-Biotechnology firm Neurotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. has begun two phase II/III clinical trials with NT-501, the company's lead Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) product for the treatment of visual loss associated with retinitis pigmentosa.

The trials are part of Neurotech's Retinal Neurotrophic Ocular Implant Research Studies; one will treat patients at an earlier stage of the disease, and the other at a later stage. Randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled trials are being conducted at 14 U.S. sites.

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 release CNTF continuously directly into the back of the eye for sustained periods.