Ray Therapeutics received EMA PRIME designation for its RTx-015 optogenetic gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, following recent FDA RMAT status. The company also appointed Michael Murtagh as Chief Regulatory Officer to support global development.
NIH funding uncertainty persists despite Congress rejecting budget cuts, with delays in grant dispersal and review processes creating challenges for biomedical researchers. The number of R01 grants dropped significantly from 2024 to 2025, and funding rates for both early-career and established researchers declined. Researchers face compressed timelines and administrative burdens that threaten scientific progress.
Ocular Therapeutix's experimental drug Axpaxli showed superior vision maintenance compared to Regeneron's Eylea in a late-stage wet AMD trial. Meanwhile, Ocugen reported 12-month data showing its gene therapy OCU410 reduced geographic atrophy lesions by 31%, though less than earlier interim results. Both companies are advancing toward regulatory submissions and further clinical development.
New research links GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic to increased scurvy risk through appetite suppression and poor nutrition. University of Florida researchers are testing a GLP-1 implant for obese cats as feline obesity affects nearly 60% of US cats.
Ocugen has completed enrollment of 140 patients in its Phase 3 liMeliGhT trial for OCU400, a gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa. Topline data expected in Q1 2027 could support potential approval later that year.
The FDA has approved an expanded label for Sandoz's aflibercept biosimilar Enzeevu to include multiple retinal indications beyond its original approval for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The product is expected to launch in the US in Q4 2026.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07529041 |
Real-time Acoustic Biofeedback for Enhancing Fixation Stability: A Proof-of-concept Study to Improve Ophthalmic Imaging Diagnostic Quality |
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION | NA |
| NCT07450677 |
Sensory Substitution and Brain Plasticity Following Vision Loss |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT06891443 |
Study to Evaluate Sepofarsen in Subjects With Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) Type 10 (HYPERION) |
RECRUITING | PHASE3 |
| NCT06631807 |
The Impact of the Years of Blindness on Sleep and Dreaming Processes and the Relationships With Spatial Abilities |
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION | |
| NCT06539728 |
Validation of Texture Changing Coatings for Use in At-Home Rapid Tests |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT06500728 |
Visual Involvement in Giant Cell Arteritis |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT06451172 |
Novel Antisense Oligonucleotide Eye Drops for Treating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Keratitis |
RECRUITING | EARLY_PHASE1 |
| NCT06364605 |
MySpace: the Role of Vision in Representing Space |
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION | NA |
| NCT06334614 |
iReach: a Rehabilitative Medical Device |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT06318000 |
Physical Activity and Sports for People With Visual Impairments |
COMPLETED |
