Disease Focus: Vision Loss
An IPSC cell based model of macular degeneration for drug discovery.
Research Objective Towards a cure for age related blindness, we propose to create a human stem cell based model to screen for drugs that are protective against Age related macular degeneration (AMD). Impact With up to 11 million people in the United States affected by AMD, effective treatments against macular degeneration could address vision loss […]
A Novel Tissue Engineering Technique to Repair Degenerated Retina
Research Objective Transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived retina organoids (hESC-RO) together with hESC derived retinal pigment epithelium (hESC-RPE) to treat advanced retinal degeneration diseases Impact Based on the ‘proof of concept’ experiments in animal models, this novel approach can be translated into a therapeutic product for the treatment of advanced human retinal […]
Embryonic Stem Cells for Corneal Endothelial Degeneration
Research Objective The proposed studies will determine the optimal approaches to differentiate and transplant stem cell-derived corneal endothelial cells. Impact These data will provide foundational proof-of-concept data that will allow the rapid advance of a cell therapy towards clinical application. Major Proposed Activities Determine optimal conditions to generate human corneal endothelial cells from human stem […]
Microenvironment based optimization of retinal induction using CRISPR-CAS9 reporter pluripotent stem cells as an expandable source of retinal progenitors and photoreceptors.
Research Objective To increase the efficiency of generating pure retinal progenitor cultures for use in transplantation and to probe general aspects of retinal development. Impact Our methods could increase the efficiency of obtaining transplantable patient specific induced pluripotent stem cell derived retinal cells for the treatment of blindness through cell replacement. Major Proposed Activities Make […]
Optogenetic Therapy for Treatment of Geographic Atrophy
Translational Candidate Optogenetic gene therapy for patients with geographic atrophy age related macular degeneration. Area of Impact Blindness from geographic atrophy age related macular degeneration Mechanism of Action Gene therapy to deliver optogenetic protein to the targeted cells of the retina to restore vision. Unmet Medical Need Geographic atrophy (GA) age related macular degeneration is […]
AAV Gene Therapy for Treating Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy associated with Biallelic SLC4A11 Mutations
Translational Candidate Therapeutic candidate rAAV8-EF1α-hSLC4A11 is a recombinant AAV vector with single-stranded cDNA encoding the wild-type human SLC4A11 protein. Area of Impact The candidate is for treatment of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, an orphan disease associated with congenital corneal opacification. Mechanism of Action Therapeutic candidate rAAV8-EF1α-hSLC4A11 introduces normal copies of human SLC4A11 gene into the […]
Extracellular Vesicle-Based Therapy for Corneal Scars
Translational Candidate Extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells for the treatment of corneal scars. Area of Impact The candidate aims to restoring vision by reducing the need for corneal transplant and the associated blinding complications. Mechanism of Action The therapeutic candidate is an extracellular vesicle (EV)-based therapy that could regenerate normal cornea tissue and reduce […]
Optogenetic therapy for treating retinitis pigmentosa and other inherited retinal diseases
Translational Candidate Ray-001 is an AAV gene therapy delivering a light sensitive gene to treat patients with advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa. Area of Impact Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic disease that causes retinal degeneration leading to near or complete blindness for most patients. Mechanism of Action Ray Therapeutics' therapy (Ray-001) delivers a potent transgene with […]
PRPE-SF, polarized hESC-derived RPE Soluble Factors, as a Therapy for Early Stage Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration
Translational Candidate PRPE-SF is a preparation of soluble factors from polarized retinal pigment epithelial cells, to support survival of photoreceptors in dry AMD (dAMD). Area of Impact dAMD with early geographic atrophy (RPE dysfunction/photoreceptor degeneration) that does not involve the fovea, with visual acuity better than 20/80. Mechanism of Action PRPE-SF is composed of multiple […]
NeuBright, a purified allogeneic cell therapy product for treatment of Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration
Translational Candidate NeuBright is an allogeneic cryopreserved neural stem cell therapy product Area of Impact Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Mechanism of Action Similar to RPE cells, NeuBright cells restore phagocytic function to the retina, secrete anti-inflammatory and trophic factors (VEGF and BDNF), maintain retinal integrity and prevent vision decline. Cells migrate radially from transplant […]