Posted on 05/24/2005 5:56:39 PM PDT by neverdem
A drug developed by Genentech significantly improved the eyesight of people with a condition that is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, the company said yesterday.
The results represent the first time that a drug for the disease - age-related macular degeneration - has been able to improve vision, not just preserve it, in a large clinical trial. It thus represents a potentially big advance.
"If this pans out, it would be a significant advantage," said Dr. Julia A. Haller, a professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University who was involved in the trial and has occasionally consulted for Genentech. "People want to be able to read and drive; they don't want to just hold on to moderate vision loss."
There are two drugs already approved to treat macular degeneration, Visudyne, from QLT and Novartis; and Macugen, from Eyetech Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer. Both drugs slow the deterioration of eyesight but do not generally improve it.
Shares of Eyetech fell 30 percent after hours, after Genentech's announcement at the close of regular trading. Shares of Genentech rose to $79.02 in after-hours trading after closing the regular session at $76.60, up 70 cents.
The results continue a hot streak for Genentech, which has...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
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This is awesome. I have macular digeneration. My mother was blind with it by the time she died and our opthamologist tells my 28 year old son that she sees the beginning of it in his eyes.
Viagra helps my vision /sarc
I have bad vision myself, i'm glad they find something to help the elderly, if it doesn't have side effects!
Once this med lets the Viagra crowd get a clear view of what they're about to get, sales of the little blue pills may plummet.
I called in sick today........ told the boss I had anal glaucoma. He asked what that was and I told him I just couldn't see my a$$ coming in today.
I wonder if this research is the result of fetal stem cells...
If thy eye offends thee, pluck it out?
Other than as a result of the development of fetal cells into the researchers themselves -- in a very natural process that all of us have undergone -- it is not.
I too have ARMD wet form and have lost central vision in left eye and right eye is showing signs of going bad. I heard that they have been working on this for some time and thrilled this has finally been announced.
May all that dream of one day finding a way to at least stop the progression or perhaps the miracle of restoring some sight find hope in this new drug............
good find, thanks for the ping!!
I wouldn't be so sure...Genentech is fully involved in the despicable exploitation of fetal stem cells. Very disheartening if this is true.
What a strange way to respond.
I work in this industry and am vocal in my opposition to the use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes. I can assure you that the time-lag between (a) research and (b) product development is long enough that the treatment now in clinical trial is not the result of research on embryonic stem cells, Genentech's (admittedly questionable) moral compass notwithstanding.
I'm reminded of the cognitive dissonance that a PETA member must have when they fall ill. Die, or use a drug tested on animals!
NO need to abuse the most helpless of humans in order to fix anything.
Morbid and highly disturbing.
OTOH - A baby is a baby; no comparison to animal research.
Adult stem cells are the ones showing the most promise in many areas right now, but the researchers are having a difficult time getting funding. Reason: Political necessity to promote embryonic stem cell research per adherence to the death culture agenda.
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