Eyestem Research has reported promising interim results from its randomized Phase 2 clinical trial of Eyecyte-RPE for Geographic Atrophy (GA), a severe form of vision loss associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

 

The interim findings were presented by Dr. Ritesh Narula, Co-Principal Investigator of the trial, at EURetina 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

 

The company said the results build on findings from its Phase 1 trial, with visual acuity gains continuing to be observed during longer follow-up. Eyestem is now preparing to file a US Investigational New Drug (IND) application in early 2027 for Eyecyte-RPE as a potential treatment for Geographic Atrophy and related vision loss.

 

The randomized controlled Phase 2 trial has so far enrolled 24 subjects, including 15 in the treatment arm and nine in the natural history control arm.

 

Eyecyte-RPE has demonstrated an overall safety profile in Phase 2 consistent with that seen in the earlier Phase 1 trial, according to the company. Seven surgeons have performed the procedures using Eyestem’s patent-pending surgical technique.

 

The visual acuity improvements first observed in Phase 1 have continued with longer follow-up. Seven subjects recorded an improvement of 13 letters at 12 months compared with baseline, while four subjects who completed 18 months maintained an average improvement of 15.3 letters.

 

The Phase 2 results have also shown gains consistent with those reported in Phase 1. Three subjects who completed six months of follow-up demonstrated a 16-letter improvement from baseline.

 

Across both Phase 1 and Phase 2, 12 subjects have completed six months of follow-up, recording an average improvement of 13.8 letters from baseline.

 

The findings come as Eyestem advances its Geographic Atrophy programme toward potential US clinical development.

 

Commenting on the clinical progress, Dr. Jogin Desai, Founder and CEO, Eyestem, said, “Early results from the Phase 2 clinical study build on the highly promising Phase 1 results, achieving an important milestone for Eyestem’s geographic atrophy program. 

 

"We are encouraged to see the gains sustained over longer follow-up periods coupled with a good safety profile. Together, these findings give us greater confidence in the potential of Eyecyte-RPE to meaningfully change the treatment landscape for patients with geographic atrophy across the world.”