Nova Eye Medical tackles macular degeneretion

Ophthalmic treatment device manufacturer Nova Eye Medical has defined with the US Food and Drug Administration the clinical studies needed to progress to market its novel treatment for macular degeneration, a disease affecting the retina for which there is no cure.

The company has been developing a 2RT minimally invasive retinal rejuvenation laser for intermediate age related macular degeneration, and will now initiate studies in Australia, Canada and Europe.

Principal investigator will be Professor Robyn Guymer, head of macular research at the Centre for Eye Research Australia.

2RT works through nanosecond pulses of laser light which stimulate cellular rejuvenation and initiate a healing response that targets the underlying causes of the disease.

The disease, which affects older people causing a loss in the centre of the field of vision, takes about 10 years to progress from diagnosis to clinical blindness.

CEO Tom Spurling said that discussions with the FDA had been time-consuming and complex.

Spurling said: “We believe that the extent of the dialogue with the FDA demonstrates the potential importance of 2RT and it is a very positive achievement to have now established a clear path forward.”

He said 2RT had been the subject of a 20 year development programme by the company, and had the potential to transform treatments by treating patients earlier in the disease state.

2RT is being developed by Nova Eye subsidiary AlphaRET, which was established shortly after Nova’s recent sale of its Ellex medical laser and ultrasound business and Australian factory to a UK group for $97.4 million.

Last month Nova Eye Medical launched its next generation minimally invasive glaucoma surgical device, iTrack Advance, in markets in Europe and the Asia Pacific.

Picture: Nova Eye Medical

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