Meeting on the Med 2021 | hESC-derived RPE for dry AMD

Jane Lebkowski, PhD, Regenerative Patch Technologies, Portola Valley, CA, describes ongoing research investigating CPCB-RPE1, a parylene membrane implant coated with human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). CPCB-RPE1 is implanted in the subretinal space and is designed to replace the damaged Bruch’s membrane and dystrophic RPE cells in dry AMD. A recent Phase I/IIa trial (NCT02590692) has demonstrated safety of implantation, as well as improvements in visual acuity in patients with dry AMD that are classed as legally blind. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.