Foundation Fighting Blindness

BlueRock Therapeutics and Foundation Fighting Blindness announce collaboration to expand the Uni-Rare natural history study of patients living with inherited retinal diseases

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 25, 2024
Retina, Research, Gene, Development, IRD, Leber congenital amaurosis, Retinitis pigmentosa, Paratriathlon, Patient, Bayer, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Visual impairment, University, Wilfrid Sellars, Senior, IND, Therapy, IPSC, Usher syndrome, B cell, Pharmaceutical industry

The new cohort will include patients living with IRDs caused by mutations in multiple genes.

Key Points: 
  • The new cohort will include patients living with IRDs caused by mutations in multiple genes.
  • “BlueRock is developing a pipeline of cell therapies that we believe has great potential for restoring vision in people living with blindness caused by retinal disease,” said Ahmed Enayetallah, Senior Vice President and Head of Development for BlueRock Therapeutics.
  • Primary photoreceptor diseases are a subgroup of inherited retinal diseases that includes retinitis pigmentosa and cone- rod dystrophies.
  • OpCT-001 aims to restore vision loss caused by these diseases by replacing degenerated tissue in the retina with functional cells.

Foundation Fighting Blindness Hosting Webinar for Eye Care Professionals: Best Clinical Practices for Patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Therapy, Retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, Caregiver, Doctor of Philosophy, Ear, SCCO, University of Iowa, MD, Optometry, Brain damage, Genetic testing, University, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Visual impairment, Stargardt disease, Genetics, OD, Patient, IRD, Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Marshall B. Ketchum University, Science, Usher syndrome, Research, Acquired brain injury, Nursing

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the driving force in the global development of treatments and cures for blinding diseases, will host a webinar for eye care professionals on the best practices for managing their patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), including retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease, and Leber congenital amaurosis. This webinar will be a part of the March Envisioning a Path to Hope initiative, raising awareness among eye care professionals for the valuable resources the Foundation provides IRD patients and caregivers.

Key Points: 
  • This webinar will be a part of the March Envisioning a Path to Hope initiative, raising awareness among eye care professionals for the valuable resources the Foundation provides IRD patients and caregivers.
  • "With nearly 50 clinical trials underway for emerging IRD therapies and no-cost genetic testing available for patients, eye care professionals can do so much to help IRD patients on their challenging journeys," says Michelle Glaze, director of professional outreach, Foundation Fighting Blindness.
  • "We are delighted to host this informative webinar to empower eye doctors to communicate hope and a path forward for their IRD patients and families."
  • She treats patients in the clinical departments of Acquired Brain Injury and Low Vision Rehabilitation, where she also conducts genetic testing for inherited eye conditions.

Verana Health Partners with Foundation Fighting Blindness to Integrate Genetic Testing Data into Real-World Evidence Research

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Health Technology, Data Management, Other Health, Technology, Optical, General Health, Professional Services, Philanthropy, Genetics, Clinical Trials, Foundation, Biotechnology, Science, Data Analytics, Research, Health, Genetic testing, IRIS, Biomarker, Ophthalmology, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Data, RWE, Visual impairment, Genomics, Medicine, American Academy, Machine Intelligence Research Institute, Retina, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Partnership, Patient, Pharmaceutical industry, Nursing

Under the partnership, the Foundation will provide Verana with de-identified genomics data from its My Retina Tracker® Registry to support clinical research surrounding patients with inherited retinal degenerative diseases.

Key Points: 
  • Under the partnership, the Foundation will provide Verana with de-identified genomics data from its My Retina Tracker® Registry to support clinical research surrounding patients with inherited retinal degenerative diseases.
  • This groundbreaking partnership leverages the Foundation’s de-identified genomics and patient-reported data on tens of thousands of individuals with inherited retinal degenerative diseases to support commercial real-world evidence (RWE) clinical research initiatives.
  • As part of its mission to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinal degenerative diseases, the Foundation Fighting Blindness provides no-cost genetic testing to people with inherited retinal diseases.
  • Through its partnership with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Verana will be able to incorporate the Foundation’s detailed genomics and patient-reported data, along with IRIS Registry data, into its client-facing clinical research initiatives.

Foundation Fighting Blindness and Eone Announce Partnership

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Foundation Fighting Blindness, Visual impairment, Global Changemakers, Clock, Trust, Champions of Change (award), System, Partnership, Retina, Research, Bradley, Brooklyn Boulders, Pharmaceutical industry, Eone

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the world's leading organization committed to driving the research for treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, announces a partnership with Eone on the launch of their 'ChangeMaker' tactile timepiece watch.

Key Points: 
  • Together, the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Eone are launching a new limited-edition tactile timepiece watch, the ChangeMaker.
  • COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness , the world's leading organization committed to driving the research for treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, announces a partnership with Eone on the launch of their 'ChangeMaker' tactile timepiece watch.
  • The new blue color was chosen as a nod to the Foundation Fighting Blindness' brand color and values, trust, unity, and importance.
  • Eone and the Foundation Fighting Blindness will be debuting this partnership with a unique event at Brooklyn Boulders in Queensbridge, New York, on November 4, 2023.

The Retinal Degeneration Fund announces an investment in Amber Bio

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Pillar, Retina, Partnership, Therapy, Visual impairment, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Playground Global, Research, Toxicity, RNA, Doctor of Philosophy, Transcriptome, Pharmaceutical industry, Vaccine

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the RD Fund (Retinal Degeneration Fund) – the venture arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness aimed at rapidly driving research toward preventions, treatments, and cures for retinal degenerative diseases – announces participation in a $26M Series Seed financing for Amber Bio to support its RNA-editing platform.

Key Points: 
  • RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the RD Fund (Retinal Degeneration Fund) – the venture arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness aimed at rapidly driving research toward preventions, treatments, and cures for retinal degenerative diseases – announces participation in a $26M Series Seed financing for Amber Bio to support its RNA-editing platform.
  • "We are thrilled to team up with RD Fund and the Foundation Fighting Blindness in building therapeutics to overcome retinal disorders," says Jacob Borrajo, PhD, chief executive officer and co-founder at Amber Bio.
  • "This partnership brings world-renowned experts in retinal biology and retinal therapeutic development to join in Amber Bio's mission."
  • Among other therapeutic areas, Amber Bio is interested in applying its technologies toward inherited retinal diseases that arise from a diverse set of mutations.

Hope in Focus to Host LCA Family Conference June 23-24

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Omni, Retina, IRD, Travel, Omni Severin Hotel, LCA, Visual impairment, Parent, Research, Paratriathlon, Organization, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Food and Drug Administration, Knowledge, Therapy, Family, Conference, Leber congenital amaurosis, Caregiver, Pharmaceutical industry, Ophthalmology, Hope

INDIANAPOLIS, June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hope in Focus, a nonprofit dedicated to finding treatments and cures for blindness caused by rare inherited retinal diseases, presents its 2023 LCA Family Conference from June 23-24 at the Omni Severin Hotel Indianapolis. Please see hopeinfocus.org for details.

Key Points: 
  • "It has been too long since we last gathered in person as an LCA community," said Laura Manfre, Hope in Focus co-founder, and board member of the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
  • The LCA Family Conference brings together families and researchers from across the United States and beyond.
  • If you would like to support the LCA Family Conference Travel Assistance Fund, please visit our website at www.hopeinfocus.org and click on the green "Donate" button.
  • When making your gift you can designate "LCA Family Conference Support."

Foundation Fighting Blindness and Athletes for Hope Announce Strategic Partnership

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Partnership, Education, Life, Visual impairment, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Mental health, AFH, Paratriathlon, Retina, Mental Health Awareness Month, Mental, Athlete, Game On! (2020 game show), Athletes for Hope, Sport, Business travel, Hope

COLUMBIA, Md., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the world's leading organization committed to finding treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, announced today a partnership with Athletes for Hope (AFH), a national nonprofit that assists athletes of all levels with community service and advocacy work. This partnership will build awareness for blinding diseases throughout the athletic community.

Key Points: 
  • COLUMBIA, Md., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness , the world's leading organization committed to finding treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, announced today a partnership with Athletes for Hope (AFH), a national nonprofit that assists athletes of all levels with community service and advocacy work.
  • Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the Foundation Fighting Blindness will be a partner of Athletes for Hope's Whole Being Athlete Program .
  • "Mental health is at the forefront of everything we do at Athletes for Hope, and we are honored to partner with Foundation Fighting Blindness to amplify the mental health stories of visually-impaired athletes," said Jason Belinkie, chief executive officer at AFH.
  • "We are proud to partner with Athletes for Hope as a unique opportunity to further raise awareness for blinding retinal diseases."

Ascidian Therapeutics to Present Data From Its Lead Program Targeting ABCA4 Retinopathies at the Retinal Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit and ARVO 2023 Annual Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
ARVO, Trans-splicing, Gene, Stargardt disease, Visual impairment, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Biotechnology, Gene editing, Stargardt, Retina, Disease, RNA, DSM-IV codes, Publication, AAV, ABCA4, Retinopathy, Oregon Health & Science University, Patient, Physician, OHSU, School of Life Sciences (University of Dundee), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Research, Therapy, Summit, Pharmaceutical industry, Vaccine, Ophthalmology, Ascidiacea, IND

BOSTON, April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascidian Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on treating human diseases by rewriting RNA, announced today that Chief Medical Officer Jay Barth, M.D., will present at the Eighth Annual Retinal Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit on April 21, 2023, and Head of Molecular Biology Shimyn Slomovic, Ph.D., will present at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2023 Annual Meeting on April 26, 2023. Their sessions will highlight Ascidian's groundbreaking RNA exon editing platform and the company's lead program targeting ABCA4 retinopathies, including Stargardt disease, which is currently in IND-enabling studies. 

Key Points: 
  • Their sessions will highlight Ascidian's groundbreaking RNA exon editing platform and the company's lead program targeting ABCA4 retinopathies, including Stargardt disease, which is currently in IND-enabling studies.
  • Ascidian's first-of-its-kind RNA exon editing platform is designed to expand the therapeutic possibilities of genetic medicine and treat diseases not addressable by today's gene therapy and gene editing technologies.
  • Data to be shared at ARVO demonstrate ABCA4 RNA exon editing in multiple model systems, including cell lines, human retinal explants, and non-human primates at time points extending to six months.
  • Dr. Barth's presentation at the Retinal Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit will provide an update on Ascidian's lead program and the promise of RNA exon editing for patients with Stargardt disease and other ABCA4-related retinopathies.

Atsena Therapeutics Announces Six-Month Data from Phase I/II Clinical Trial of ATSN-101 to be Presented at ARVO 2023 Annual Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Retina, ARVO, Gene, Visual impairment, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Paratriathlon, Atsena Otie Key, Oregon Health & Science University, Patient, OHSU, Annual general meeting, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Research, Phase, Therapy, Leber congenital amaurosis, Safety, Pharmaceutical industry, Ophthalmology

DURHAM, N.C., April 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atsena Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on bringing the life-changing power of genetic medicine to reverse or prevent blindness, today announced that 6-month safety and efficacy data from the ongoing Phase I/II clinical trial of ATSN-101 in patients with Leber congenital amaurosis caused by biallelic mutations in GUCY2D (LCA1) will be presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2023 Annual Meeting, which is being held April 23-27 in New Orleans, LA.

Key Points: 
  • DURHAM, N.C., April 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atsena Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on bringing the life-changing power of genetic medicine to reverse or prevent blindness, today announced that 6-month safety and efficacy data from the ongoing Phase I/II clinical trial of ATSN-101 in patients with Leber congenital amaurosis caused by biallelic mutations in GUCY2D (LCA1) will be presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2023 Annual Meeting, which is being held April 23-27 in New Orleans, LA.
  • LCA1 is a monogenic eye disease that disrupts the function of the retina and results in early and severe vision impairment or blindness.
  • According to previously reported interim data from the Phase I/II clinical trial, ATSN-101 has demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in vision with no drug-related serious adverse events.
  • Details of the oral presentation are as follows:
    In addition, Atsena is pleased to sponsor and participate in the Retinal Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit 2023, jointly organized by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Casey Eye Institute, which is being held on Friday, April 21 in New Orleans, LA.

RG6501 (OpRegen®) Phase 1/2a Clinical Results to Be Presented at 2023 Retinal Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 20, 2023
Research, FDA, Genetics, Clinical Trials, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Health, Optical, Science, Oncology, Gene, Lineage, Visual impairment, Retinal, AMD, Foundation Fighting Blindness, University Medical Center, Roche, Geographic atrophy, Oregon Health and Science University Center for Women's Health, Physician, TASE, NYSE American, Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Therapy, Oregon Health & Science University, Hadassah Medical Center, Pharmaceutical industry, Genentech, Ophthalmology, Patient

Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic cell therapies for unmet medical needs, today announced that results from a Phase 1/2a clinical study of RG6501 ( OpRegen ), will be presented at the 2023 Retinal Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit , organized by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the Oregon Health & Science University Casey Eye Institute .

Key Points: 
  • Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic cell therapies for unmet medical needs, today announced that results from a Phase 1/2a clinical study of RG6501 ( OpRegen ), will be presented at the 2023 Retinal Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit , organized by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the Oregon Health & Science University Casey Eye Institute .
  • The meeting will be held April 21st, 2023, at the Marriott New Orleans Warehouse Arts District in New Orleans, LA.
  • RG6501 (OpRegen) is a retinal pigment epithelium cell transplant therapy currently in development for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  • The 2023 Retinal Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit , "Defining the Preclinical to Clinical Roadmap" will feature presentations that emphasize clinical trial design for gene and cell-based therapies.