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ProtoKinetix Enters into 3rd Phase of Retinal Cell Replacement Therapy Testing at UBC

By August 15, 2018No Comments

ProtoKinetix, Incorporated has entered into the 3rd phase of testing in retinal cell replacement therapy at the University of British Columbia. Due to the positive results from the first two phases of testing where the AAGP® treated cells showed a dramatic increase in survivability versus untreated cells over a four-week period, we are now expanding the study. The new study shall include two animal models over a longer period of time to test whether the AAGP® treated cells continue to develop into retinal cells to potentially restore vision in humans. The study conducted by the Gregory-Evans Retinal Therapeutic Lab at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Gregory-Evans Bio

The studies to date demonstrated that in vitro pre-treatment of PPCs with 4 mg/mL PKX-001 resulted in a substantial increase of cell survival following their transplantation into the subretinal area of immunocompromised rabbits with retinal degeneration.  PPCs treated with PKX-001 maintained their ability to express key proteins associated with photoreceptor functions.

Based on the outstanding results thus far, ProtoKinetix now has patents pending in the United States of America, Canada and Europe.

ProtoKinetix will now extend its previous studies into further in vivo functional studies. To date we have histological data ex vivo and in vivo that PKX-001 improves PPC survival and that these cells mature to express proteins of mature photoreceptors.

The global ophthalmic therapeutics/drug market is expected to reach USD $35.7 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.