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Ocugen's OCU100 gets FDA orphan drug designation for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa

Ocugen, Inc. and the University of Colorado today announced exclusive license agreements that allow for Ocugen to continue developing two drug candidates for the treatment for ophthalmology indications, and that one of the assets, OCU100, recombinant lens epithelium derived growth factor 1-326 (LEDGF1-326), received orphan-drug status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a rare eye disease.

6 Jun 2014

RPB grants $500,000 to accelerate treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa

Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), the leading eye research foundation, is providing $500,000 to accelerate the development of treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) -- a family of retinal diseases that progressively create extreme tunnel vision, loss of night vision and leave affected patients legally blind by the age of 40.

5 Jun 2014

CenterVue's next generation Macular Integrity Assessment receives FDA clearance

CenterVue, Inc., a leader in the design and manufacture of highly automated medical devices for the diagnosis and management of ocular pathologies, today announced FDA 510(k) clearance has been granted for the company's next generation Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA).

4 Jun 2014

Researchers emphasize critical need to utilize multi-pronged approach to treat diabetes mellitus

Charles H. Hennekens, M.D., Dr.P.H., the first Sir Richard Doll professor and senior academic advisor to the dean in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University; Marc A. Pfeffer, M.D., Dzau professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School; John W. Newcomer, M.D., executive vice dean of FAU's College of Medicine and interim vice president for research at FAU; Paul S. Jellinger, M.D., affiliate professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; and Alan Garber, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine at Baylor, have published a commentary in the American Journal of Managed Care titled "Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: The Urgent Need for Multifactorial Interventions."

4 Jun 2014

New nanomedicine allows glaucoma patients to do away with daily eye drops

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) have jointly developed a new nanomedicine that will allow glaucoma patients to do away with daily eye drops.

4 Jun 2014

CHLA researchers develop novel NextGen sequencing approach for retinoblastoma

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a unique next-generation sequencing test for the gene linked to retinoblastoma. The new approach is both more comprehensive and can be conducted in less time than existing tests - enabling early detection of the cancer's genetic cause, which is critical for optimal treatment outcomes.

3 Jun 2014

ARIAD reports data from Iclusig Phase 2 trial in adult patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced, for the first time, data from its Phase 2 trial of Iclusig (ponatinib) in adult patients with refractory metastatic and/or unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

2 Jun 2014

Fibrogen reports FG-3019 Phase 2 study results for treatment of pancreatic cancer

FibroGen, Inc. today announced results from a Phase 2 open-label study of FG-3019, an investigational anti-fibrotic antibody, in combination with gemcitabine and erlotinib for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

31 May 2014

Regular grape consumption may play role in eye health

New research presented this week at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology conference in Orlando, Florida suggests that regular grape consumption may play a role in eye health by protecting the retina from deterioration.

30 May 2014

Study shows high BP drugs may raise likelihood of age-related macular degeneration

There may be a connection between taking vasodilators and developing early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans who are age 65 and older, according to a study published online in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

29 May 2014

Researchers working in Palestine and Jordan to help better provision of eye care

An Aston University academic is working in Palestine and Jordan to help better the provision of eye care in the two countries as part of a €565,000 worldwide two-year project.

29 May 2014

Simple tips to keep summer injury-free

Trauma and injury remains a devastating problem in the U.S. It is the leading cause of death for those under the age of 45.

23 May 2014

Researchers discover atypical type of retina cell that plays more critical role in vision

A type of retina cell plays a more critical role in vision than previously known, a team led by Johns Hopkins University researchers has discovered.

22 May 2014

AbbVie receives HUMIRA orphan drug designation from FDA for treatment of non-infectious uveitis

AbbVie announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted HUMIRA orphan drug designation for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, or pan-uveitis, or chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis, a group of rare but serious inflammatory diseases of the eye.

21 May 2014

Cigarette smoking and male sex are independent risk factors for ocular sarcoidosis

Cigarette smoking and male sex are significant risk factors for developing ocular sarcoidosis, according to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

21 May 2014

CINVESTAV creates stereoscopic vision lenses for blind to navigate more easily

Combining computational geometry, artificial intelligence, geo and ultrasound techniques, among others, scientists from the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) created a device to help people with low vision or blindness to navigate more easily.

20 May 2014

Shire intends to submit NDA for lifitegrast to treat dry eye disease

Following a May 15, 2014, meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces today that it intends to submit a New Drug Application for lifitegrast as a treatment for the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in adults in the first-quarter 2015, as we complete remaining chemistry and manufacturing work.

19 May 2014

FibroGen’s Phase 2a study supports safety and efficacy of FG-3019 in IPF patients

FibroGen, Inc. (FibroGen) announced today the presentation of clinical data at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference supporting the safety and efficacy of FG-3019 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a debilitating and life-threatening lung disease for which there is currently no approved therapy in the United States.

19 May 2014

Amakem commences Phase 2 dose-ranging study of AMA0076 drug for treatment of glaucoma

Amakem Therapeutics, a clinical stage ophthalmology company, today announced that first patients have commenced treatment in a Phase 2 dose-ranging study of its lead drug candidate, AMA0076 for the treatment of glaucoma.

13 May 2014

Study reveals 70% of patients with diabetic retinopathy will develop macular edema

In Mexico, at least 14 million people have developed macular edema due to diabetes (DME), which like retinopathy affects central vision and can lead to blindness if not treated early .

13 May 2014

Blindness News and Research

Ocugen's OCU100 gets FDA orphan drug designation for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa

RPB grants $500,000 to accelerate treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa

CenterVue's next generation Macular Integrity Assessment receives FDA clearance

Researchers emphasize critical need to utilize multi-pronged approach to treat diabetes mellitus

New nanomedicine allows glaucoma patients to do away with daily eye drops

CHLA researchers develop novel NextGen sequencing approach for retinoblastoma

ARIAD reports data from Iclusig Phase 2 trial in adult patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Fibrogen reports FG-3019 Phase 2 study results for treatment of pancreatic cancer

Regular grape consumption may play role in eye health

Study shows high BP drugs may raise likelihood of age-related macular degeneration

Researchers working in Palestine and Jordan to help better provision of eye care

Simple tips to keep summer injury-free

Researchers discover atypical type of retina cell that plays more critical role in vision

AbbVie receives HUMIRA orphan drug designation from FDA for treatment of non-infectious uveitis

Cigarette smoking and male sex are independent risk factors for ocular sarcoidosis

CINVESTAV creates stereoscopic vision lenses for blind to navigate more easily

Shire intends to submit NDA for lifitegrast to treat dry eye disease

FibroGen’s Phase 2a study supports safety and efficacy of FG-3019 in IPF patients

Amakem commences Phase 2 dose-ranging study of AMA0076 drug for treatment of glaucoma

Study reveals 70% of patients with diabetic retinopathy will develop macular edema

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