Retina Implant AG, the leading developer of subretinal implants for patients blinded by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), today announced the publication of data from the Company's global clinical trial involving seven sites across five countries. The study, published in the May 2015 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Vision Research, presents the visual results of 29 late-stage RP and cone-rod dystrophy patients implanted with the Alpha IMS subretinal implant.
The study titled, "Subretinal Visual Implant Alpha IMS-Clinical Trial Interim Report," was led by Dr. Katarina Stingl, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Schleichstr in coordination with Professor Eberhart Zrenner, M.D., founding director of the Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Germany. Highlights from the study's findings include:
More than 86 percent of patients implanted with the 3x3 mm2 device with 1,500 electrodes experienced improved ability to detect light, including the identification of specific light sources.
Nearly half of the 29 previously blind study patients reported restoration of useful visual experiences in daily life, including the recognition of shapes and household objects, improved ability to identify facial features and some of them even the ability to read letters.
These results led researchers to conclude that the Alpha IMS subretinal implant was successful in restoring partial vision in the majority of blind patients.
"The publication of this data is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of some of the world's leading retinal specialists collaborating to provide life-changing technology to those in need," said Dr. Katarina Stingl, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Germany. "The impact of RP is profound for patients, and with no treatment options available until recently, diagnosing patients with the disease has been extremely difficult. For years, the ophthalmology community has strived to develop a treatment or technology that offers a solution to help RP patients regain some useful vision. It is incredibly gratifying to have reached this point."
"Retina Implant's mission is to provide all late-stage RP patients with a safe, effective device to restore some of the vision they have lost," said Walter-G Wrobel, CEO of Retina Implant AG. "Through the establishment of new clinical partners across Europe, securing reimbursement in those countries as well as launching a clinical trial in the U.S., we are executing on our mission to increase access to our technology worldwide."
Results from module one of the trial were gathered at a single center study in Tuebingen, Germany and were the subject of a study in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences in January 2013. The data from the remaining 20 study participants was collected during a multi-center international trial which took place across Europe and several sites in Asia. Multicenter trial sites include the Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, National University Health System, Singapore; Oxford Eye Hospital and Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Klinikum Stuttgart - Katharinenhospital Eye Clinic, Stuttgart, Germany; King's College Hospital and King's College London, Denmark Hill, London; Klinikum Stuttgart – Olgahospital, Stuttgart, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; STZ Eyetrial, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Klinikum Dresden Friedrichstadt, University Teaching Hospital, Eye Clinic, Dresden, Germany; Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong and Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), Tuebingen, Germany.
About Retina Implant AG
Retina Implant AG is the leading developer of subretinal implants for partially sighted and blind patients. After extensive research with German university hospitals and institutes which began with a large grant from the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education in 1996, Retina Implant AG was founded by Dr. Eberhart Zrenner, professor of Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Germany and his colleagues in 2003 with private investors with the goal of developing a fully-functioning electronic retinal implant to restore useful vision to the blind. Retina Implant began implanting human patients in 2005 and started a second, larger clinical trial in 2010. In July 2013, Retina Implant's wireless subretinal implant technology, Alpha IMS, received CE mark. To learn more about Retina Implant, follow us on Twitter @RetinaImplant.
About Vision Research
Vision Research is devoted to the functional aspects of human, vertebrate and invertebrate vision and publishes experimental and observational studies, reviews, and theoretical papers firmly based upon the current facts of visual science. Vision Research has always welcomed the broadest interpretation of visual science.
Vision Research believes that access to quality research is vital to the scientific community and beyond. The journal supports sustainable access and works hard to provide a range of open access options alongside access initiatives to ensure everyone can read, use and trust the latest research.
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