News Summary
jCyte has published promising results from a Phase I/IIa trial studying retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) as a treatment for non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The trial demonstrated the safety and tolerability of RPC injections in 28 adults, with potential dose-related effects. With a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation from the FDA, jCyte aims to further investigate RPC therapy’s efficacy, offering hope for RP patients lacking available treatments. Supported by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, the study underscores collaboration in regenerative medicine in combating retinal diseases.
IRVINE, Calif. – jCyte, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has published a study in the journal Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, detailing findings from a Phase I/IIa clinical trial that investigated the safety and tolerability of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) as a potential treatment for adults with non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The trial involved 28 adult participants across two vision cohorts who were administered a single intravitreal injection of RPCs, with varying doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 million cells.
The primary aim of the trial was to assess the safety of RPC injections. Findings reveal that the RPC therapy was safe and well-tolerated by the participants. Furthermore, there were exploratory signals indicating a possible dose-related treatment effect, although these findings require cautious interpretation before progressing to larger controlled studies.
jCyte’s RPC therapy has been designated as a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) by the FDA, indicating its potential to fill significant unmet medical needs. In light of the promising preliminary results, jCyte plans to conduct ongoing and future trials aimed at thoroughly evaluating the efficacy and durability of the therapy across larger cohorts of RP patients.
The study received support through funding from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), highlighting the collaborative effort to advance regenerative medicine research.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare hereditary retinal disorder characterized by progressive vision loss caused by the degeneration of photoreceptor cells. As of now, there are no broadly available disease-modifying therapies for patients suffering from RP, which means they typically experience a gradual decline in their visual function. With over 99% of individuals living with RP having no FDA-approved treatment options, the study conducted by jCyte and the development of jCell represents a potential breakthrough in addressing the needs of these patients.
The Gavin Herbert Eye Institute is playing an integral role in furthering research and development targeted at eye diseases, including RP. This ongoing work aligns with jCyte’s commitment to creating innovative therapies for retinal degenerative disorders.
As jCyte moves forward with its mission to improve outcomes for patients affected by RP and similar conditions, the focus remains on developing its first-in-class allogeneic cell therapy, jCell. With the promising results from the recent clinical trial, which establish a foundation for further study, both research teams and patients alike are hopeful for advancements that could eventually provide relief and restore vision for those battling this challenging disease.
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Additional Resources
- Business Wire: jCyte Safety Study Publication
- Investopedia: Intra-Cellular Therapies Acquisition
- RegMedNet: Fujifilm Expands Cell Culture Center
- PR Newswire: Pepromene Bio Investment Announcement
- CGT Live: BlueRock Therapeutics Parkinson’s Therapy
- Wikipedia: Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Google Search: Regenerative Medicine
- Google Scholar: Retinal Progenitor Cells
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cell Therapy
- Google News: Retinitis Pigmentosa
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COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
