Retinal implant offers partially restored vision for people with retinitis pigmentosa

Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., developer of the retinal prosthesis known as the Argus II, is seeking 10 additional participants for its feasibility clinical study in the United States.  A total of 22 people have already participated in the three-year study, which is underway in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico.

Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC), a clinical-stage gene therapy development company, has raised $11.8 million in venture capital funding to advance treatments for the retinal degenerative diseases Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and achromatopsia. The investment will also be used to fund research for an early onset form of emphysema.