Granted Patent
B2
US 12,485,087 · App. 18/934,892 · Granted Dec 2, 2025
Use of encapsulated cell therapy for treatment of ophthalmic disorders
Inventors:
Jeffrey Louis Goldberg (San Diego, CA); Cahil Mcgovern (North Kingstown, RI); Weng Tao (Lincoln, RI); Konrad A. Kauper (Sutton, MA)
Assignee:
Neurotech USA, Inc.
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Abstract
Described herein are methods and devices for the long term treatment of ophthalmic disorders. Also disclosed are encapsulated cell therapy (ECT) devices that secrete a biologically active molecule and methods for using the same for the treatment of various kinds of ophthalmic disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa, geographic atrophy (dry age-related macular degeneration), glaucoma and/or macular telangiectasia.
Claims (19)
1 . A method of treating macular telangiectasia in a patient suffering therefrom comprising: implanting into an eye of the patient a biocompatible device comprising
a) a core comprising between 5×10 2 and 6×10 5 ARPE-19 cells that are genetically engineered to secrete a therapeutically effective amount of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), wherein the therapeutically effective amount of CNTF is between 0.1 ng/eye/day and 50 ng/eye/day,
b) a semi-permeable membrane surrounding the core, wherein the membrane has a molecular weight cut off of 1-150 kD and permits the diffusion of the CNTF therethrough and wherein the semi-permeable membrane is between 90 and 120 μm thick, and
c) a matrix disposed within the semi-permeable membrane, wherein said matrix comprises monofilaments twisted into a yarn that is in non-woven strands, wherein the cells are distributed on the monofilaments, and wherein the monofilaments comprise polyethylene terephthalate;
wherein said biocompatible device produces therapeutically effective amounts of the CNTF for at least 12 months post implantation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible device produces therapeutically effective amounts of the CNTF for at least 2 years post implant.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible device is configured as a hollow fiber.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the biocompatible device has an internal diameter of between 0.9 mm-1.2 mm.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible device is configured as a flat sheet.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the monofilaments comprise between 40-85% of the internal volume of the device.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is implanted in the vitreous, in the aqueous humor, in the periocular space, in the anterior chamber, in the posterior chamber, or in the Subtenon's space.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the biocompatible device is anchored to an ocular structure following implantation.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a permselective, immunoprotective membrane.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the semi-permeable membrane has a median pore size of 100 nm.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the length of the biocompatible device is between 4 mm-11 mm.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one additional biologically active molecule is co-delivered from the biocompatible device.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one additional biologically active molecule is from a non-cellular source.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one additional biologically active molecule is from a cellular source.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one additional biologically active molecule is produced by one or more genetically engineered ARPE-19 cells in the core.
Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST
Recorded Jun 2, 2026
From: NEUROTECH USA, INC.; NEUROTECH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 074826/0383 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
Recorded Apr 10, 2025
From: GOLDBERG, JEFFREY LOUIS; MCGOVERN, CAHIL; TAO, WENG; KAUPER, KONRAD
To: NEUROTECH USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 070795/0028 →
Continuity (6)
Provisional Application
62167213
· May 27, 2015
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