PulseSight Therapeutics has completed dosing in a phase 1 clinical trial evaluating PST-611, an investigational gene therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy. The study enrolled 6 patients across 2 dose cohorts and was designed to assess safety and tolerability.

PST-611 is a first-in-class, plasmid-based gene therapy that drives expression of transferrin, a protein involved in iron transport and regulation. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis has been implicated in the pathophysiology of dry AMD, with excess free iron contributing to oxidative stress, inflammation, and retinal cell death through ferroptosis. In preclinical models, PST-611 has demonstrated protection of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium cells, with preservation of visual function.

Trial data are expected to be presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO), May 3-7, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. RP