FDA approval for tiny implant that preserves vision in rare genetic eye disease

Research published in The New England Journal of Medicine has outlined how an innovative implant slows vision loss in macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).

In March, Encelto became the first therapy to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the rare genetic eye condition.

The latest study reports the results of two phase 3, multi-centre trials. The trials involved following 228 participants across 47 sites for two years.

Both trials showed that the Encelto implant, which continuously releases a therapeutic protein to preserve vision, helped to slow down photoreceptor loss over the trial period.

Professor Martin Friedlander, of Scripps Research, highlighted that the findings were a “step toward redefining how we think about vision loss.”

“Instead of waiting for cells to die, we’re learning how to protect and preserve them,” he said.

He added that the trials were the first time that a treatment had meaningfully altered the course of MacTel.

“It confirms that neuroprotection can be a powerful strategy to preserve vision in degenerative retinal conditions,” Friedlander observed.