- 36- and 48-month efficacy demonstrated with canaloplasty
- Phase 1/2 trial for gene therapy for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa
- Topline results from Phase 2a trial for possible DME therapy
- Preclinical data shows potential for gene therapy to address Leber congenital amaurosis
- ASCRS news and events
May 13, 2022 • Volume 28, Number 19
36- and 48-month efficacy demonstrated with canaloplasty
Nova Eye Medical announced publication of three investigator-led studies of its iTrack canaloplasty device. According to the company’s press release, a case series demonstrated a significant reduction in mean IOP (compared to baseline) and a significant decrease in glaucoma medications after iTrack canaloplasty sustained out to 36 months. A separate case series demonstrated similar results out to 48 months. A third study looked at canaloplasty in eyes that had prior keratoplasty procedures, which the company stated “[sheds] new light on the safety profile of the procedure in patients with fragile corneas.” Seventeen post-keratoplasty eyes were included in the study, undergoing ab-interno canaloplasty. IOP was significantly reduced, and graft survivability was maintained for at least 12 months, according to the press release. IOP reduction was also comparable to eyes that had not had prior keratoplasty.
Phase 1/2 trial for gene therapy for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa
MeiraGTx announced positive data from its Phase 1/2 trial, conducted with Janssen, evaluating botaretigene sparoparvovec, a gene therapy for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. This therapy involves injecting healthy copies of the gene under the retina. According to the company’s press release, the latest data supports the durability of the treatment; improvements in photoreceptor function were seen 12 months post-treatment. Patients have been dosed in the company’s ongoing Phase 3 trial.
Topline results from Phase 2a trial for possible DME therapy
Oxurion reported topline results from its Phase 2a trial evaluating THR-687 as a possible treatment for DME. The data showed it to be safe and well tolerated with no serious adverse events. The company stated that there was “insufficient evidence of efficacy on the key endpoints” and, as such, it decided not to advance THR-687 into part B of the trial. Oxurion has a separate trial, a Phase 2b trial, evaluating THR-149 for DME that is currently enrolling patients in the U.S. and Europe.
Preclinical data shows potential for gene therapy to address Leber congenital amaurosis
Opus Genetics announced preclinical data for its investigational gene therapies, OPGx-001 and OPGx-002, to potentially treat Leber congenital amaurosis. The studies, according to the company’s press release, showed that patients with Leber congenital amaurosis and severe retinal dysfunction had detectable photoreceptor regions that could be targets for the gene therapy. In addition, two dose-ranging studies showed that subretinal delivery of the two gene therapies were well tolerated. The company stated that the data supports the therapeutic potential and tolerability of these and will provide guidance for future toxicology studies and in-human clinical trials.
ASCRS news and events
- 2022 ASCRS Annual Meeting: Catch up on coverage from the Annual Meeting with EyeWorld Daily News and EyeWorld Onsite.
- ASCRS Grand Rounds: ASCRS Grand Rounds, presented by NYU Langone Department of Ophthalmology, is available on demand.
- Ophthalmology Quicksand Chronicles: Watch the latest episode of this popular ASCRS podcast hosted by Nicole Fram, MD, and Elizabeth Yeu, MD, with guest Amar Agarwal, MD.
- ASCRS Summer Meeting: Register for the ASCRS Summer Meeting and get a “Taste of ASCRS” over a long weekend, August 19–21, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Research highlights
- Research published in the journal Nature described how investigators “revived” photoreceptor cells from organ donor eyes, restoring communication between them. According to a press release about the research, cells from eyes obtained up to 5 hours after the organ donor’s death were able to respond to bright light, colored light, and dim flashes of light. Cells taken from organ donor eyes within 20 minutes from the time of death were able to have cellular communication abilities restored. One of the researchers said in the press release that prior research has restored “very limited electrical activity in organ donor eyes, but this has never been achieved in the macula and never to the extent that we have now.” This research has implications on future study of other neuronal tissues, the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, and could reduce dependence on some non-human primate research.
- A case report published in the journal Cornea described acute exacerbation/recurrence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) keratitis after COVID-19 vaccination. The authors stated that they think this is the first report of possible association between VZV keratitis and COVID-19 vaccination. The case involved an 87-year-old man with a history of herpes zoster ophthalmicus 10 years prior. He was referred with sudden visual impairment in his left eye 2 days after receiving the second dose of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2. His vision was hand motion only, and slit lamp exam showed diffuse corneal stromal edema and nasal stromal infiltration, according to the paper. He was treated for 2 weeks with oral valacyclovir and topical corticosteroids. The lesion resolved and vision was restored to 20/30. The authors stated that physicians should be aware of the potential for this recurrence with COVID-19 vaccination.
Product news
- Visus Therapeutics and Zhaoke Ophthalmology entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for BRIMOCHOL PF (carbachol/brimonidine tartrate) and Carbachol PF in Greater China, South Korea, and other Southeast Asian territories.
- Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution, Novartis) was added to a preferred unrestricted position to SilverScript PDP + EGWP, Aetna MAPD, and WellCare Classic PDP Medicare Formularies. Cigna Medicare also added Xiidra to its national formularies in a preferred, unrestricted position, as it is on its PDP, MA-PD, and ESI EGWP formularies.
- EyePoint Pharmaceuticals entered into a licensing agreement with Betta Pharmaceuticals for EYP-1901 in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
- Zeiss is offering a new SLT add-on, the VISULAS green laser, to its Zeiss Workflow.
This issue of EyeWorld Weekly was edited by Stacy Jablonski and Liz Hillman.
EyeWorld Weekly (ISSN 1089-0319), a digital publication of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), is published every Friday, distributed by email, and posted live on Friday.
Medical Editors: Sumit “Sam” Garg, MD, Chief Medical Editor; Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, Cataract Editor; Clara Chan, MD, Cornea Editor; Nathan Radcliffe, MD, Glaucoma Editor; and Vance Thompson, MD, Refractive Editor
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