Emmecell completes final patient visit in phase 1 EMME-001 trial of EO2002

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Emmecell (Emmetrope Ophthalmics) announced the completion of the last patient visit in its phase 1 extension study EMME-001.

The trial, assessing the safety and efficacy of EO2002 for the treatment of corneal edema, is a 21-patient, randomized, double-masked, multi-center trial based in the US. EO2002 is a first-in-class, non-surgical cell therapy incorporating Emmecell's exclusive Magnetic Cell Delivery (MCD) nanoparticle platform, according to the company. The EMME-001 phase 1 trial is looking at EO2002 as a potential treatment for corneal edema without the need for invasive and high-risk surgical procedures like corneal transplantation or endothelial scraping.

Emmecell stated that EO2002 is being developed as an intracameral injection to bridge the gap for the “approximately 90% of patients with symptomatic corneal edema who do not have disease severe enough to warrant the risks of corneal transplantation surgery.”¹

Ellen Koo, MD, professor of ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, and an investigator in the study commented in a press release.¹

"The prospect of being able to treat patients without surgery would be a game-changer for patients suffering with corneal edema," said Koo "Currently, for patients with severe enough disease, we perform corneal transplant surgery, which requires a single donor to treat a single eye. Cell therapy offers the opportunity to treat hundreds of eyes from a single donor cornea, and with EO2002's non-surgical approach, we could effectively help the much larger population of patients suffering with symptomatic corneal edema without surgery."

Preliminary data from the phase 1 trial indicates an improvement in best-corrected visual acuity, and a reduction in central corneal thickness with no significant safety concerns. According to the company, additional detailed topline results are expected to be reported in the next month for all subjects treated across 3 doses of EO2002.¹

References:

1. Emmecell Completes Last Patient Last Visit for Proof-of-Concept Trial of Groundbreaking Cell Therapy for Corneal Edema. Press Release; October 8, 2024. Accessed October 8, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emmecell-completes-last-patient-last-visit-for-proof-of-concept-trial-of-groundbreaking-cell-therapy-for-corneal-edema-302269420.html