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MCET 0003 Just bought it , a few days ago they paid their patents fees read this


Drug MCT-355! Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a common eye disease that causes deterioration of the macula, or the central area of the retina (the thin tissue at the back of the eye where light-sensitive cells send visual signals to
the brain, as shown in Figure 8). Sharp, clear, ‘straight ahead’ vision is processed by the macula. Damage to the macula results in the development of blind spots and blurred or distorted vision. When the macula becomes damaged, many daily activities, such as driving and reading, become increasingly difficult. Although a variety of approaches have been proposed to treat macular degeneration, none have proven successful in treating this disease.

“Wet” and “Dry” Forms

There are two forms of macular degeneration—”wet” and “dry”. For many people, the visual cells simply cease to function, like the colors fading in an old photograph. This is called “dry” macular degeneration,
which involves thinning of the macular tissues and disturbances of pigmentation. This form of macular degeneration accounts for approximately 70% of reported macular degeneration cases. The “wet” form of macular degeneration, which affects the other 30% of people diagnosed with the disease, can involve bleeding within and beneath the retina, opaque deposits, and eventually scar tissue. Statistics Macular degeneration is estimated to affect over 10 million U.S. citizens. It is the leading cause of irreversible severe central vision loss in Caucasians 50 years and older in the U.S. and in most of the developed world. The incidence and progression of macular degeneration increases significantly with age. Approximately 10% of patients ages 66 to 74 years have macular degeneration; the prevalence increases to approximately 30% of patients age 75 to 85.

MultiCell’s Macular Degeneration Therapeutic Program

MCT-355

MultiCell has entered into a research agreement with Columbia University Medical Center to evaluate certain hexapeptide molecules for efficacy as potential therapies to treat “dry” form of macular degeneration. MultiCell has an option to enter into an exclusive worldwide license for any invention resulting from the sponsored research. The project is designed to determine whether the hexapeptide can protect against retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in acute and chronic in vivo models of optic neuropathy. The underlying mechanisms of RGC death are not fully understood, though RGC apoptosis has been heavily implicated in many ocular neurodegenerative diseases, including macular degeneration. Given
the delicate balance between the survival and death signals in neuronal cells, molecules that are capable of inhibiting apoptosis are strongly considered as future therapeutic options for the treatment of ocular
neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. James C. Tsai, associate professor of Ophthalmology, at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, is to direct the research program. Currently Marketed Macular Degeneration Therapies The following therapies are some of the more commonly marketed therapies to treat patients with macular
degeneration.

Genentech. Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection) is a prescription medicine for the treatment of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Lucentis® is a humanized anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) antibody fragment that inhibits VEGF activity by competitively binding with VEGF. The compound is derived from Avastin® (bevacizumab), a full-length humanized MAb against VEGF. Genentech has developed Lucentis® with a marketing tie-up with Novartis Ophthalmics.

Novartis AG. Visudyne® Photodynamic therapy is for the treatment of patients who have an aggressive form of wet AMD called predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Visudyne® therapy is a two-step procedure that can be performed in a doctor’s office. First, Visudyne®, a light-sensitive drug, is injected intravenously into a patient’s arm. Visudyne® is taken up by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. Second, the drug is activated by shining a non-thermal, or “cold” laser in the patient’s eye. Visudyne® therapy cannot restore vision lost to AMD, but it confines the retinal damage and slows the disease’s progression.

OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In January 2005, Macugen® (pegaptanib sodium injection) was launched in the U.S. for use in the treatment of all types of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD or neovascular AMD). Macugen® is the first and only FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of all subtypes of neovascular AMD. Macugen® addresses the abnormal blood vessel growth and blood vessel leakage that is believed to be the underlying cause of the disease. Macugen® may also provide considerable benefits over existing therapies for the blood vessel leakage associated with diabetic macular edema.

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