Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

More research on retinoid drugs in AMD:

This abstract is about isotretinoin (a.k.a. Accutane, a.k.a. 13-cis RA), and the author is our old friend Eugene de Juan, CEO of the closely-held InnoRx, the company SRDX recently invested in [#msg-2200452]:

http://www.kenes.com/isopt/inv_abstracts/De_Juan2.doc

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Purpose: Determine whether evidence for efficacy exists for oral 13-cis retinoic acid (RA) to stabilize visual acuity in AMD patients with subfoveal occult CNV.

Methods: We performed a prospective pilot trial using oral 13-cis RA as a treatment for subfoveal occult CNV in AMD patients. Patients were instructed to take 40 mg. of 13-cis RA (tablet) twice daily for five months, stop treatment for two months and then resume treatment for five additional months. Patients were followed monthly with ETDRS visual acuity (VA), anterior and posterior segment examinations, fluorescein angiography.

Results: Eleven patients, age ranging from 64 to 88-years (median 73-years) were enrolled. VA ranged from 20/40 to 20/400. Follow-up ranged from five to 16 months (median12 months). Initial visual acuity (VA) ranged from 20/40 to 20/400 (median 20/64). Median VAs were 20/80 at three, 20/100 at six and 20/160 at 12 months. VA was within +/- 2 lines of initial VA in 82% at three, 50% at six, 33% at nine and 67% of patients at 12 months. VA improved two or more lines in 45% at three, 25% at six, 50% at nine and 33% at 12 months. [Note that the FDA’s definition of improved visual acuity is a gain of at least *three* lines relative to baseline.]

Conclusions: Oral 13-cis RA may play a role in stabilizing or improving visual acuity in patients with occult subfoveal CNV in AMD patients.
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