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.

Stem cell treatments could repair the kidney defects associated with Alport syndrome

Several cell-based therapy approaches could provide new treatments for patients with Alport syndrome, reports an upcoming paper in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). "Our study opens up many considerations of how new therapies related to the use of stem cells can be devised for our kidney patients with chronic disease," comments Raghu Kalluri, MD, PhD (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA).

19 Oct 2009

pSivida achieves milestone in Phase III Iluvien trial, last patient completes two-year follow up visit

pSivida Corp., a leading drug delivery company that has developed two of the only three products approved by the FDA for the long-term, sustained release delivery of drug to treat chronic back of the eye disease, today announced that the last patient in the Phase III clinical trial being conducted by its collaborative partner, Alimera Sciences, for a new treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) has completed the two-year follow up visit.

15 Oct 2009

Controlled trial comparing Bevacizumab to Ranibizumab finds no difference in efficacy

Investigators from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the VA Boston Healthcare System have shown, at 6 months in a small group of patients, that there is no difference in efficacy between Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Ranibizumab (Lucentis) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

9 Oct 2009

IP Advocate collaborates with Marion Kauffman Foundation on education and policy initiatives

Sharing a mutual goal of helping researchers turn their discoveries into products that help people and stimulate the economy, IP Advocate (http://www.IPAdvocate.org) founder and noted scientist Dr. Renee Kaswan is collaborating with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (http://www.kauffman.org) on a range of education and policy initiatives.

7 Oct 2009

Researchers identify novel circulation within human eye that provides new insight into glaucoma

Researchers at the University of Toronto, St. Michael's Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre have discovered a previously unidentified form of circulation within the human eye which may provide important new insights into glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.

6 Oct 2009

ThromboGenics presents Phase IIa microplasmin intravitreal injection trial results at the ASRS conference

ThromboGenics NV, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines for eye disease, vascular disease and cancer, today announces results of a Phase IIa trial evaluating microplasmin intravitreal injection for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (MIVI II DME).

6 Oct 2009

Study finds that visual impairment in T1D patients may be decreasing

People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in recent years are less likely to develop diabetes-related vision loss than those diagnosed in earlier years, says a new study funded by the National Eye Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Forecasts of visual impairment prevalence in T1D patients may need to be amended, the researchers suggest, since current predictions assume that the earlier incidence rates will continue.

3 Oct 2009

Falls are a major cause for eye injuries in the elderly

The most common fear for family members when an elderly relative falls is broken bones. But eye injuries can be just as serious and debilitating. Home is the where most eye injuries occur, and slips and falls are among the most common type of home injuries. Slippery stairs, loose railings, or sharp edges on furniture can lead to painful falls and devastating eye injuries for seniors, as well as children and other household members.

3 Oct 2009

Fovea Pharmaceuticals to sell 100% of its share to Sanofi-Aventis

Fovea Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has entered into a binding agreement with sanofi-aventis to sell 100% of its share to sanofi-aventis. Fovea has a portfolio of three clinical compounds, a unique technology platform and several discovery programs dedicated to back of the eye diseases.

1 Oct 2009

Can-Fite BioPharma commences preparatory work for a Phase III trial with CF101 to treat Psoriasis

Can-Fite BioPharma, a biotechnology company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, an Israeli Biopharmaceutical company, announced today the initiation of preparatory work for a Phase III trial with CF101 in Psoriasis. This is based on the successful conclusion of a Phase II dose-response clinical study with CF101 to treat patients with moderate to severe Psoriasis; the study successfully met its primary objective of efficacy and safety

1 Oct 2009

Omega-3 fatty acids prevent and slow age-related macular degeneration

Researchers are seeing more benefits of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s), such as their ability to help prevent and slow age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that is the leading cause of severe vision loss in older people.

30 Sep 2009

pSivida reports interim results of human PK study of Iluvien

pSivida Corp, a leading drug delivery company that has developed two of the only three products approved by the FDA for the long-term, sustained release delivery of drug to treat chronic back of the eye disease, today reported the interim 18-month safety and efficacy results from the first human pharmacokinetic study (PK Study) of Iluvien®. The PK trial is being conducted by Alimera Sciences, the licensee for Iluvien.

29 Sep 2009

Network in Canada to develop biomaterials for treatment of eye diseases

Researchers in Canada have established a new university/industry network to pursue the development of biomaterials, medical devices and drug delivery systems to treat the increasing incidence of eye disease.

26 Sep 2009

ThromboGenics completes enrollment for MIVI-TRUST clinical trial

ThromboGenics NV, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for eye disease, vascular disease and cancer, announces today that it has completed the enrolment of the US Phase III trial evaluating microplasmin for the non-surgical treatment of eye disease.

24 Sep 2009

Enrollment for pSivida's pilot FAVOR clinical study commences

pSivida Corp., a leading drug delivery company that has developed two of the only three products approved by the FDA for the long term, sustained release delivery of drug to treat chronic back of the eye disease, today announced that enrollment has begun for a pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of Iluvien in patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.

24 Sep 2009

Update from Advanced Cell on pre-clinical activities for its RPE cell program

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (Advanced Cell, ACT) (OTC: ACTC) provided an update on pre-clinical activities in preparation of its first IND filing with the Food and Drug Administration for its retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell program for the treatment of various eye diseases.

23 Sep 2009

OAO attempting to protect Ontarians from Great Glasses' illegal eye examinations

The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) is warning the public to ensure their eye examinations are only conducted by a physician or optometrist.

17 Sep 2009

Triamcinolone may be a treatment option for some patients with retinal vein occlusion

Injecting the eye with the corticosteroid triamcinolone appears effective in improving the vision of some patients with retinal vein occlusion, an important cause of vision loss that results from blockages in the blood vessels in the retina, according to two reports in the September issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

15 Sep 2009

Patient enrollment for Phase 3 clinical trials of VEGF Trap-Eye completed

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: REGN) today announced the completion of patient enrollment in two randomized, double-masked, Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating VEGF Trap-Eye in the treatment of the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

14 Sep 2009

Alcon to acquire ESBATech AG

Alcon (NYSE:ACL) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ESBATech AG, a Swiss biotechnology company. Alcon will pay ESBATech shareholders $150 million in cash at closing, plus contingent payments of up to $439 million based upon the achievement of future research and development milestones that would be expected to create value for Alcon.