Neurotech begins Phase II/III human studies of treatment for retinitis pigmentosa

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has begun enrollment of participants in two multicenter Phase II/III human clinical trials for an innovative treatment to slow the progression of a group of blinding diseases known as retinitis pigmentosa. Both studies are partially funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Neurotech's treatment involves implantation of a tiny device known as Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) into the eye. Less than a quarter-of-an-inch long, the ECT implant contains retinal cells which provide long-term, sustained delivery of a vision-saving protein known as ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF).

In preclinical studies supported by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the treatment exhibited a safe and effective product profile. The therapy also performed well in a Phase I human study conducted at the National Eye Institute.

"Neurotech's treatment holds much promise for minimizing vision loss for people affected by many forms of retinitis pigmentosa," says Stephen Rose, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer, Foundation Fighting Blindness. "Furthermore, it shows excellent potential for saving vision in people affected by other retinal degenerative diseases such as dry age-related macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and choroideremia."

The two Phase II/III studies for retinitis pigmentosa are being conducted at 14 sites throughout the United States. One trial is evaluating participants with an earlier stage of disease. The other study is evaluating participants with more advanced disease. Visit the Foundation's clinical trials Web page to learn more about study enrollment.

"We are very enthusiastic about Neurotech's solution, because it has performed so well in initial studies," says Bill Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation Fighting Blindness. "Our partnership with Neurotech over the last six years has been very successful," adds Schmidt, "The Foundation is strongly committed to collaborations like these to move promising treatments out of the laboratory and into human clinical trials."

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited eye diseases that lead to significant vision loss or blindness. RP causes the degeneration and death of retinal cells known as photoreceptors, which capture and process images and light enabling us to see.

The urgent mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc. is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher Syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

New Screening Tool for Usher Syndrome

April 2006 - Dr. William Kimberling at Boys Town National Research Hospital has announced a new tool used to screen for Usher Syndrome. USMChip is a microschip that can test a saliva sample for all known types of Usher Syndrome (currently there are eight), by checking for approximately 420 different known DNA mutations. The success rate is expected to be between 65% and 75% and should improve over time as new mutatations are identified and included on the chip. The cost of the test is $200 per person which makes it an ideal tool for screening. Previously, testing was only available through a process known as sequencing, which could cost thousands of dollars and required DNA obtained from a blood sample. The National Center for the Study and Treatment of Usher Syndrome welcomes new particpants interested in screening for Usher Syndrome. This involves purchasing the chip and sending a saliva sample by mail. Once tested, results will be returned in 2-4 months. Interested persons should contact Dr. Kimberling directly.

William J. Kimberling, Ph.D., Center for the Study and Treatment of Usher Syndrome, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 555 N. 30th Street, Omaha, NE 6813. Phone, (402) 498-6713. Email, kimber@boystown.org Secretary's phone, (402) 498-6713.

National Task Force on Deaf-Blind Interpreting

At the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Conference in San Antonio, TX this past summer, Jamie Pope, Executive Director of the American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB), and Susie Morgan, representing the RID Deaf-Blind Special Interest Group (DB SIG), submitted the following motion to raise attention to the need for increased awareness and training in the area of deaf-blind interpreting: "We hereby move that RID and the American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB) create a task force to address the imminent communication needs of the deaf-blind community. Rationale: RID, the leading organization in the field of interpreting services has yet to address the communication access needs for the countless number of individuals who are deaf and have a vision loss. This lack of attention is in direct conflict with RID's philosophy: "to strive for no less than excellence in the provision of interpreting/transliterating services." As a national body we need to address the lack of understanding, training, skills, and quality of services currently provided that directly impacts the consumer for whom this organization was founded. The mission of this task force will be to raise the standards of service provision to an equivalent level that is currently offered to deaf consumers. The Deaf-Blind SIG/Member Section and the AADB Board are in support of this collaborative effort."

The motion passed unanimously. The next step will be to develop a national task force in order to compile a comprehensivelist of the issues that consumers, interpreters, and interpreter trainers face regarding deaf-blind interpreting. Then, a plan of action will be created in order to address the identified issues. If you would like to be involved in this initiative or want urther information contact: Susanne Morgan, MA, CI, CT, Deaf-Blind Specialist, Sign Language Interpreter. E-mail: morgansusie@att.net.