Implant trials

Trials are beginning looking at the effect of an intraocular implant upon the progression of retinitis pigmentosa.

The NT-501 implant, already being tested for its ability to enhance the action of anti-angiogenic drugs in the treatment of AMD, uses genetically modified epithelial cells to secrete ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) within the eye. It is hoped that the trials may show that intraocular CNTF may slow the photoreceptor degenerative process.