Phase III Treatment Trial for Stargardt Disease Enrolls First Patient

The Retina Foundation of the Southwest was the first site in the world to enroll patients in a new international Phase III Clinical Treatment Trial for Stargardt Disease sponsored by the clinical-stage ophthalmology company Acucela. This study is a phase III treatment trial to evaluate Acucela’s leading drug candidate, emixustat hydrochloride (“emixustat”), as a treatment for macular atrophy secondary to Stargardt disease. Upon completion of this clinical trial, the drug will be presented to the FDA for approval.

Approximately 160 individuals will be enrolled at 30 sites in 10 countries worldwide. Dr. Ryo Kubota, M.D., Ph.D., and Chairman, President and CEO of Acucela stated that “We are very excited to be proceeding with the phase III clinical study addressing Stargardt disease with emixustat. Stargardt is an unmet medical need with no known therapies to slow the progression of the disease. We are now focused on initiating our study to advance our clinical program, to help patients facing vision loss and blindness from this disease.”

Questions regarding this trial should be directed to Kimberly Cummings at kcummings@retinafoundation.org.