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Scientists have created an animal model suitable for testing and validating gene therapies for treatment of a common mitochondrial dysfunction that causes loss of vision. The research, published by Cell Press in the September issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, describes an innovation that represents a significant advance toward development of the first treatment for one of the many devastating disorders caused by mitochondrial disruption.

Research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester reveals that coating an artificial lens with antibiotics could significantly reduce the risk of post-operative infection, and even blindness, for cataract patients. Cataract surgery is one of the most common operations in adults, with 250,000-300,000 procedures carried out each year in the UK.

ESBATech AG, a leading developer of antibody fragment therapeutics, announced that the company has successfully completed its Phase I clinical study of the company's lead product candidate, ESBA105, in ophthalmic indications. In April 2008, ESBATech initiated the Phase I study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile of ESBA105, when delivered topically via eye drops in healthy volunteers.