According to a statement released by Ocata Therapeutics, each of the cohorts will receive one week of immune suppressive therapy prior to surgery and then different immune suppression regimens following transplantation of the cells, to determine the safety and tolerability of zero, six and 12 weeks of post-transplant systemic immune suppression. Untreated patients will receive placebo treatment similar in appearance and administration to those who have received cellular transplants.
“We expect this Phase two clinical study will provide important information about the ability of Ocata’s fully differentiated RPE cells to treat dry age-related macular degeneration, when transplanted into the retina,” said Carl D. Regillo, MD, FACS, Director, Retina Service at Wills Eye Hospital and Professor of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College. “Ocata’s RPE program has the potential to be an effective treatment option for dry AMD, as well as other ophthalmological indications, such as Stargardt’s Disease.”
Results from the study will be released in 2016. There is currently no proven medical therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration.
