PulseSight Therapeutics, a French biotech company, recently presented preclinical data for its innovative transferrin-based gene therapy, PST-611, at the 2024 EVER Congress. Aimed at treating dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its advanced form, geographic atrophy (GA), PST-611 is designed to restore iron homeostasis in retinal cells.

AMD, the leading cause of central vision loss in the elderly, often results from excessive iron levels in retinal tissues, leading to cell death and gradual vision loss. PulseSight’s chief scientific officer Dr. Thierry Bordet shared data showing that transferrin, a potent iron-binding protein, could reduce iron toxicity in retinal cells and mitigate inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage in preclinical models, the company reported in a press release. PulseSight has also tested a novel delivery method for PST-611, using minimally invasive electroporation to target the ciliary muscle, which demonstrated a favorable safety profile in animal models.

The company said it is currently seeking regulatory approval to initiate phase 1 clinical trials in Europe, with hopes to start phase 2 trials by late 2027.