Eye Disease News and Research

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Eye diseases are widespread around the globe. According to the World Health Organization, the most important three eye diseases or conditions that are a potential threat to the global population are diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. One more vital reason for visual harm is refractive errors. Some of the important reasons for vision loss or low vision are age, healthcare, gender, genetic problems and the prevalence of family history.

Alcon board approves merger agreement with Novartis

Alcon, Inc. announced today that its board of directors approved a merger agreement with Novartis AG, whereby Novartis will pay a total merger consideration valued at $168 per share for the Alcon shares it does not currently own. Under the terms of the deal, the merger consideration will be comprised of a combination of Novartis shares and, if necessary, a cash contingent value amount to result in a total value of $168 per share.

15 Dec 2010

Santen launches DIQUAS Ophthalmic Solution in Japan

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that DIQUAS Ophthalmic Solution 3% (diquafosol tetrasodium) received pricing approval and was launched for sale today in Japan by its partner, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Inspire will receive a related milestone payment of $1.25 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and is also entitled to receive payments based upon a tiered royalty rate on net sales of DIQUAS in Japan, with a minimum rate in the high single digits and a maximum rate in the low double digits.

From Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 13 Dec 2010

Blocking growth of blood vessels with antibodies could improve treatment of cancerous tumors

A novel strategy of blocking the growth of blood vessels with antibodies should result in improved treatment of cancerous tumors.

10 Dec 2010

Cephalon, Mesoblast to develop, commercialize novel adult MPC therapeutics

Cephalon, Inc. and Mesoblast Limited, today announced they have entered into a strategic alliance to develop and commercialize novel adult Mesenchymal Precursor Stem Cell therapeutics for degenerative conditions of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

8 Dec 2010

Type 2 diabetics who consume alcohol at increased risk for blurry vision

A new study published in the journal Diabetic Medicine reveals that among patients with type 2 diabetes, alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of deterioration of visual acuity.

2 Dec 2010

Research may lead to new treatment strategies for Graves' disease

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have identified a compound that prevents overproduction of thyroid hormone, a finding that brings scientists one step closer to improving treatment for Graves' disease.

2 Dec 2010

NIH expands genetic and clinical research database to provide access to digital study images

The National Institutes of Health has expanded a genetic and clinical research database to give researchers access to the first digital study images.

24 Nov 2010

Stem cell trial for eye disease receives FDA approval

The second clinical trial involving stem cells from human embryonic cells has received the go-ahead. The news came from Advanced Cell Technology Inc. this Monday. The company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the way for its Phase I/II trial of retinal cells for patients with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy, a childhood version of macular degeneration.

22 Nov 2010

FDA grants ACT clearance for Phase I/II clinical trial of hESC derived retinal cells in patients with SMD

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application to immediately initiate a Phase I/II multicenter clinical trial using retinal cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to treat patients with Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy (SMD), one of the most common forms of juvenile macular degeneration in the world. The decision removes the clinical hold that the FDA had placed on the trial.

22 Nov 2010

Mimetogen initiates MIM-D3 Phase II clinical trial for dry eye disease

Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel small molecule compounds that mimic the effects of neurotrophins, today announced that it has initiated the first human clinical trial evaluating MIM-D3, a mimetic of nerve growth factor (NGF), in a Phase II clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease. MIM-D3 is a small cyclic peptidomimetic of NGF, a naturally occurring protein in the eye that is responsible for the maintenance of corneal nerves and epithelium, mucin and tear production.

22 Nov 2010

OXiGENE updates data on FALCON trial for non-small cell lung cancer

OXiGENE, Inc., a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, announced today that it presented updated safety and clinical activity data from the FALCON trial, a randomized, controlled Phase 2 study of ZYBRESTAT(TM) (CA4P) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

19 Nov 2010

Millions of Americans suffer unnecessarily with itchy, gritty, watery eyes, say allergists

Millions of Americans suffer unnecessarily with itchy, gritty, watery eyes, according to allergists at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in Phoenix, Nov. 11-16. The underdiagnosis, undertreatment and self-treatment of eye allergies may seriously diminish quality of life, allergists say.

16 Nov 2010

DHA protects brain tissue and promotes recovery in acute ischemic stroke

Research led by Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Boyd Professor, Villere Chair, and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health Sciences Center, has shown that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a component of fish oil, is a powerful therapeutic agent that can protect brain tissue and promote recovery in an experimental model of acute ischemic stroke, even when treatment is delayed by up to five hours.

9 Nov 2010

pSivida awarded $489,000 grant under IRS Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project

pSivida Corp., a leader in the development of sustained release drug delivery products for the treatment of back-of-the-eye disease including the product candidate Iluvien™ for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema, today announced that it has been awarded two grants totaling $489,000 under the IRS Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP). The grants were awarded to pSivida to help fund further research on new generations of the company's drug delivery technologies targeting ophthalmic diseases.

4 Nov 2010

ISTA third quarter net revenue increases 31% to $42.0 million

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Third quarter 2010 net revenues were $42.0 million, an increase of 31% from the third quarter of 2009.

3 Nov 2010

ArcticDx develops test to determine inherited risk for AMD

Established in 2007 and based in Toronto, ArcticDx has developed a test, Macula Risk-, the first of its kind and specifically designed to determine one's inherited risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common form of acquired blindness in the developed world, affecting over 10% of individuals. ArcticDx will use the PBDF investment to undertake studies in support of a planned filing for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Macula Risk.

2 Nov 2010

Allergan third quarter diluted loss per share increases to $2.21

Allergan, Inc. today announced operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Allergan also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a third quarter dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on December 1, 2010 to stockholders of record on November 10, 2010.

1 Nov 2010

Diabetes threatens the eyesight of many unsuspecting Americans

Diabetes causes more new cases of legal blindness among working-age Americans than any other disease. If diabetics are monitored regularly by their ophthalmologist, this vision loss is almost always avoidable. Yet, tragically, more than half of all people living with diabetes do not get the recommended annual dilated eye exam. As the number of people with Type 2 diabetes rises in the U.S., the CDC projects that the number of adults with diabetic retinopathy will double by the year 2050. Yet 90 percent of diabetic eye disease can be prevented simply by proper regular examinations and treatment and by controlling blood sugar.

27 Oct 2010

Celtic, Resolvyx enter option agreement for RX-10045 to treat dry eye syndrome

Celtic Therapeutics Holdings L.P. a successor firm to Celtic Pharma, and Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Resolvyx) announced today that they have entered into an option agreement relating to Resolvyx's RX-10045, a late-stage program for the treatment of dry eye syndrome and other ophthalmic conditions.

26 Oct 2010

UCI scientists receive CIRM grants to improve stem cell treatments

UC Irvine scientists will receive grants totaling $9.35 million to help create stem cell treatments for retinitis pigmentosa, Huntington's disease and traumatic brain injury.

25 Oct 2010