• Clinical trial is evaluating transplantation of cells derived from adult retinal pigmented epithelium stem cells to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Session will take place on April 24 at 10am CT in the exhibitor�s presentation area in the ARVO exhibit hall at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans

FORT LEE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Luxa Biotechnology (LuxaBio), a joint venture between Y2 Solution Co. Ltd, Seoul, South Korea and the Neural Stem Cell Institute (NSCI), Rensselaer, New York, today announced the company will provide an update on the progress of a Phase 1/2a clinical trial evaluating transplantation of RPESC-RPE-4W to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting to be held in New Orleans from April 23� 27, 2023. The panel session will take place on April 24 at 10am CT in the exhibitor�s presentation area in the ARVO exhibit hall at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

RPESC-RPE-4W is derived from an adult retinal pigmented epithelium stem cell (RPESC) that produces retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cell progeny. The cell product being used in the clinical trial is a progenitor stage RPESC-RPE obtained after 4 weeks of differentiation (RPESC-RPE-4W). The trial is being conducted at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center.

�Our unique technology utilizing progenitor-stage RPE cells to replace those lost in dry AMD offers the potential to improve vision,� said Jeffrey Stern, MD, PhD, co-CEO of Luxa Biotechnology and co-founder of NSCI. �This trial represents a close collaboration of LuxaBio, the Kellogg Eye Center, the Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center, the National Eye Institute, and Emmes, our contract research organization and sponsor of the panel session at ARVO.�

In vitro studies of RPESC-RPE-4W demonstrated expression of the complete repertoire of cell functions carried out by natural RPE cells including trophic factor release and phagocytosis. Sub-retinal implantation in an animal model of AMD showed RPESC-RPE-4W engraft into the native RPE layer to fully replace lost RPE cells. Transplanted RPESC-RPE-4W provided durable preservation of RPE cell functions and supported overlying photoreceptor cells resulting in sustained vision rescue.

Details of the panel session are as follows:

Title: Expert Perspectives on Ophthalmic Cell and Gene Therapies

Date / Time: Monday, April 24, 10am � 11am CT

Location: ARVO Exhibit Hall

The panel discussion is hosted by Emmes, a global, full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) and will be moderated by Supriya Menezes, Associate Vice President of Ophthalmology at Emmes.

For more information about the session and to register, please visit https://emmes-20580327.hs-sites.com/reserve-your-spot

About Luxa Biotechnology

Luxa Biotechnology (LuxaBio) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel adult RPE stem cell (RPESC) therapy for dry AMD. The proprietary adult RPESC-derived RPE stem cell product was developed at and licensed from the NSCI. LuxaBio is a partnership between the NSCI research institute and Y2 Solution, a Korean company to evaluate RPESC in a clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of RPE progenitor stage progeny as a potential therapy for dry AMD. LuxaBio maintains a robust research program at NSCI to develop the RPESC as an effective, commercially viable cell product. The Phase 1/2a clinical trial of RPESC-RPE-4W for the Treatment of Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration includes the Cedars Sinai Biomanufacturing Center, Emmes, the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center and the National Eye Institute. For more information, please contact [email protected]

Contacts

Media:
Christine Quern

617-650-8497

[email protected]