Groundbreaking long-term data presented at Retina 2025 in Koloa, Hawaii, reveals sustained therapeutic benefits of NT-501 (revakinagene taroretcel) in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2, marking a significant advancement in treating this rare retinal disease.
Dr. Mark Gillies from the Save Sight Institute in Sydney, Australia, presented compelling evidence from a nine-year follow-up study showing that NT-501, an encapsulated cell therapy developed by Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, continues to demonstrate both safety and efficacy in treating the condition.
Sustained Therapeutic Effects
"We have the first device to treat macular telangiectasia type 2, which has been through the clinical trial program, and the long-term results up to 9 years find that it is still relatively well tolerated and that the efficacy appears to persist up until that time point," reported Dr. Gillies during his presentation.
The study's findings are particularly significant as they address a crucial aspect of cell therapy treatments - their long-term durability and safety profile. The data shows that NT-501 effectively reduces ellipsoid zone loss, a key indicator of disease progression in macular telangiectasia type 2.
Clinical Implications
This therapeutic approach represents a pioneering treatment option for patients with macular telangiectasia type 2, a condition that previously had limited treatment alternatives. The sustained efficacy over a nine-year period suggests that NT-501 could offer a durable solution for managing this challenging retinal condition.
The favorable long-term safety profile, coupled with maintained therapeutic effects, positions NT-501 as a promising intervention in the ophthalmology field. These results may have significant implications for the standard of care in treating macular telangiectasia type 2, potentially offering patients a long-term management strategy for this progressive condition.
