Stem cell hope for AMD cure

A technique using stem cell therapy to cure age-related macular disease, the most common form of blindness, has been pioneered by scientists and surgeons from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and the Moorfields eye hospital.

Researchers are predicting that the treatment, which involves replacing a layer of degenerated cells with new ones created from embryonic stem cells, could be available in seven years and would involve a one-hour procedure.

The research team is seeking permission for clinical trials from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the Human Tissue Authority and the gene therapy advisory committee.

Press reports suggested that Pfizer would back the therapy.