GUANGZHOU, China | November 13, 2025 — Eyestem Research, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has revealed significant findings from its Phase 1 clinical trial for Eyecyte-RPE™, a novel cell therapy for Geographic Atrophy (GA), a severe and irreversible form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Dr. Jogin Desai, the founder and CEO of Eyestem, presented on “Safety and Efficacy of Eyecyte-RPE™ in a Phase 1 Trial for Treatment of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Dry AMD.”, the results at the 3rd China Great Bay Cell and Gene Therapy Forum (Innoxbio CGT 2025) in Guangzhou. The results of the trial show that the treatment is both secure and effective in restoring vision.
Read More: Eyestem’s Eyecyte-RPE™ Trial Shows Vision Rescue for Geographic Atrophy Patients
Key findings from the study include
- Significant Vision Gain: Subjects showed an average improvement of 14.8 letters in visual acuity at the six-month mark (eight subjects).
- Sustained Improvement: Four subjects followed for 12 months maintained an average improvement of 13.3 letters.
- Excellent Safety Profile: The company reported no treatment-related serious adverse events observed during the trial.
Since there are currently no approved treatments for Geographic Atrophy that can reverse vision loss, these results are extremely encouraging. Eyestem’s treatment attempts to replace the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells that are gradually dying off as a result of the condition.
Read More: Eyestem Announces Positive Safety Results in Phase 1 Trial of RPE Cell Therapy
Our phase one study demonstrates clinically meaningful vision rescue with an excellent safety profile, a promising step toward addressing a condition with no current approved treatments that can reverse vision loss. As we prepare to begin phase two in India and file for US IND approval in Q3 2026, we are also exploring strategic partnerships to bring this breakthrough to global markets. Collaborating with international stakeholders is crucial to our mission of making world-class, affordable cell therapies accessible to patients everywhere.
Dr. Desai
Global Expansion and Next Steps
Eyestem is getting ready for the next phase of clinical development and international expansion after the successful Phase 1 trial.
The company announced it is:
- Preparing for a Phase 2 clinical trial in India, subject to regulatory approvals.
- Seeking US regulatory approval, with plans to file for a US Investigational New Drug (IND) approval in the third quarter of 2026.
- Exploring licensing partnerships in China to advance the local development and commercialization of Eyecyte-RPE™.
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Our phase one study demonstrates clinically meaningful vision rescue with an excellent safety profile, a promising step toward addressing a condition with no current approved treatments that can reverse vision loss. As we prepare to begin phase two in India and file for US IND approval in Q3 2026, we are also exploring strategic partnerships to bring this breakthrough to global markets. Collaborating with international stakeholders is crucial to our mission of making world-class, affordable cell therapies accessible to patients everywhere.
Dr. Desai
The presentation was given at the Innoxbio CGT 2025 forum, a significant international conference for cell and gene therapy leaders that included 90 top speakers and more than 1,200 experts. The Ophthalmology and Rare Diseases track included Dr Desai’s session, which focused on the expanding role of regenerative medicine in meeting unmet needs in the field of vision care.
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