Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) announced today that it has asked the Food and Drug Administration a trial using embryonic stem the retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from cells to treat Stargardt macular dystrophy, a congenital eye disease. ACT, which has almost disappeared under several times in recent years, may now be about to make the first trial of the nation therapy embryonic stem cells, says Scientific Director General Robert Lanza. Geron Corp., which earlier received permission to administer oligodendrocytes derived progenitor cells to treat spinal cord injury, has been mired in delays and can not begin his trial until the end of next year.
Lanza said eye disease is a good place to start with such cell therapies because the eye does not reject foreign tissue, so no imunnosuppressive drugs are needed. Stargardt because it is an "orphan disease" without treatment, he said he should get an expedited FDA review. In the coming months the company also hopes to apply for permission to test the cells on macular degeneration.
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