Could Lab-Grown eye cells restore sight in dry AMD?

NCT ID NCT04339764

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether transplanting lab-grown retinal cells into the eye is safe for people with geographic atrophy from dry age-related macular degeneration. Twenty participants aged 55 and older will receive a transplant of their own reprogrammed cells into one eye. The study will monitor safety and vision changes over several years.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelium cells

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a cell-replacement therapy to slow or stop vision loss from geographic atrophy in dry AMD.

What could go wrong

This is an early phase I/IIa trial with only 20 participants, so safety and effectiveness are not yet proven. Surgery inside the eye carries risks like infection or retinal detachment, and participants must take immunosuppressants long-term.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

age-related macular degeneration dry age related macular degeneration Geographic Atrophy

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Johns Hopkins University

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    RECRUITING

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••