On Jul. 27, 2023, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded $50.1 million to fund clinical-stage research projects aimed at advancing stem cell and gene therapy treatments for a variety conditions ranging from neurodegenerative diseases and blood cancers to HIV/AIDS.

The awards supported six projects in the Agency’s clinical program which provides funding for eligible stem cell and gene therapy-based projects through any stage of clinical trial activity.

Among the awards is a $12.4 million grant to support Regenerative Patch Technologies LLC in a Phase 2b clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) implant. The implant will be evaluated in patients with geographic atrophy, a late-stage form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common condition that can lead to vision loss in older adults.

The RPE is an important cell layer that supports the retina and plays a critical role in maintaining vision. In geographic atrophy, RPE cells break down over time, leading to impaired vision and a loss of independence.

The stem cell-based implant aims to promote the survival and function of the retina, protecting the eye from disease progression and potentially improving vision.