Biotech firm finds DNA therapy for retinal disease

Cleveland-A privately held biotechnology company said it has developed a proprietary non-viral nucleic acid nanoparticle technology that can introduce DNA into cells of the retina and other optic tissues.

Copernicus Therapeutics Inc. said the data from studies with Muna Naash, PhD, at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, show that technology can introduce genes into the eye for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and viral infections.

Study results reported at a recent Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting revealed gene transfer efficiencies of up to 99%.