Jane Lebkowski – VJRegenMed

hESC-derived RPE for dry AMD

admin_vjr_user — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 09:00:56 +0000

Jane Lebkowski, PhD, Regenerative Patch Technologies, Portola Valley, CA, describes ongoing research investigating CPCB-RPE1, a parylene membrane implant coated with human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). CPCB-RPE1 is implanted in the subretinal space and is designed to replace the damaged Bruch’s membrane and dystrophic RPE cells in dry AMD. A recent Phase I/IIa trial (NCT02590692) has demonstrated safety of implantation, as well as improvements in visual acuity in patients with dry AMD that are classed as legally blind. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.

Manufacturing advanced therapies for AMD

admin_vjr_user — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 09:00:56 +0000

Jane Lebkowski, PhD, Regenerative Patch Technologies, Portola Valley, CA, explores the challenges in manufacturing cell and gene therapies for age related macular degeneration (AMD) and other indications. Given the large number of patients with AMD, it is important for developers to scale manufacturing in order to meet the high demand for therapies while reducing costs. Dr. Lebkowski discusses the benefits of investing in manufacturing at an early stage in the development process, the implementation of automated manufacturing technologies and the importance of appropriate potency assays and cellular characterization. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.

Horizon scanning of cell therapy: the eye and beyond

admin_vjr_user — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 09:00:55 +0000

Jane Lebkowski, PhD, Regenerative Patch Technologies, Portola Valley, CA, describes some of the impactful advances in cell therapy that are helping drive the field forward, including the ability to produce relevant cell types and characterize their functionality and phenotypic properties. Novel technologies and platforms offer the potential to build layers of the retina which could be applied in the treatment of a range of retinal diseases in the future. Continued advances in cell- and tissue-based therapies also hold great potential for rebuilding other organs such as the kidneys and lungs. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.

Targeting the eye with cell therapy

admin_vjr_user — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 10:09:55 +0000

Jane Lebkowski, PhD, Regenerative Patch Technologies, Portola Valley, CA, discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with the development of cell therapies for ocular conditions. The ease of therapeutic delivery to different areas within the eye, as well as the existence of powerful imaging technologies that can examine the tissue structure, makes the eye a good target for cell therapies. Challenges include the potential for immune rejection of allogeneic cells and the need to improve outcome measures in clinical trials, which can often be subjective or take a long time to measure. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.