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In Trial, Drug Aids Vision of Elderly
NY Times ^ | May 24, 2005 | ANDREW POLLACK

Posted on 05/24/2005 5:56:39 PM PDT by neverdem

A drug developed by Genentech significantly improved the eyesight of people with a condition that is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, the company said yesterday.

The results represent the first time that a drug for the disease - age-related macular degeneration - has been able to improve vision, not just preserve it, in a large clinical trial. It thus represents a potentially big advance.

"If this pans out, it would be a significant advantage," said Dr. Julia A. Haller, a professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University who was involved in the trial and has occasionally consulted for Genentech. "People want to be able to read and drive; they don't want to just hold on to moderate vision loss."

There are two drugs already approved to treat macular degeneration, Visudyne, from QLT and Novartis; and Macugen, from Eyetech Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer. Both drugs slow the deterioration of eyesight but do not generally improve it.

Shares of Eyetech fell 30 percent after hours, after Genentech's announcement at the close of regular trading. Shares of Genentech rose to $79.02 in after-hours trading after closing the regular session at $76.60, up 70 cents.

The results continue a hot streak for Genentech, which has...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Technical; US: District of Columbia; US: Maryland; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: cancer; conferences; conventions; genentech; health; johnshopkins; science
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1 posted on 05/24/2005 5:56:41 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: El Gato; JudyB1938; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Robert A. Cook, PE; lepton; LadyDoc; jb6; tiamat; PGalt; ..

FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.


2 posted on 05/24/2005 6:08:44 PM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: neverdem

This is awesome. I have macular digeneration. My mother was blind with it by the time she died and our opthamologist tells my 28 year old son that she sees the beginning of it in his eyes.


3 posted on 05/24/2005 6:17:56 PM PDT by Mercat
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To: neverdem

Viagra helps my vision /sarc
I have bad vision myself, i'm glad they find something to help the elderly, if it doesn't have side effects!


4 posted on 05/24/2005 6:30:15 PM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45 (FreeRepublic: More fun than watching Dem'Rats drown like Turkeys in the rain! ! !)
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To: 1FASTGLOCK45

Once this med lets the Viagra crowd get a clear view of what they're about to get, sales of the little blue pills may plummet.


5 posted on 05/24/2005 6:33:11 PM PDT by edpc
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To: edpc

I called in sick today........ told the boss I had anal glaucoma. He asked what that was and I told him I just couldn't see my a$$ coming in today.


6 posted on 05/24/2005 7:02:49 PM PDT by umgud (FR, NASCAR, NRA, GOP)
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To: neverdem

I wonder if this research is the result of fetal stem cells...


7 posted on 05/24/2005 7:07:43 PM PDT by eleni121 ('Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!' (Julian the Apostate))
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To: eleni121

If thy eye offends thee, pluck it out?


8 posted on 05/24/2005 7:24:08 PM PDT by null and void (The befaster I run, the behinder I get...)
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To: neverdem
Hmmmm, My dad is scheduled to start Macugen Friday ($4,000/treatment, a treatment every 6 weeks).

He's VERY interested in this new stuff.
9 posted on 05/24/2005 7:29:24 PM PDT by null and void (The befaster I run, the behinder I get...)
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To: eleni121
I wonder if this research is the result of fetal stem cells...

Other than as a result of the development of fetal cells into the researchers themselves -- in a very natural process that all of us have undergone -- it is not.

10 posted on 05/24/2005 7:38:11 PM PDT by aposiopetic
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To: Mercat

I too have ARMD wet form and have lost central vision in left eye and right eye is showing signs of going bad. I heard that they have been working on this for some time and thrilled this has finally been announced.
May all that dream of one day finding a way to at least stop the progression or perhaps the miracle of restoring some sight find hope in this new drug............


11 posted on 05/24/2005 7:55:24 PM PDT by grannyheart2000
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To: neverdem

good find, thanks for the ping!!


12 posted on 05/24/2005 7:58:48 PM PDT by bitt ("There are troubling signs Bush doesn't care about winning a third term." (JH2))
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To: aposiopetic

I wouldn't be so sure...Genentech is fully involved in the despicable exploitation of fetal stem cells. Very disheartening if this is true.


13 posted on 05/24/2005 8:11:44 PM PDT by eleni121 ('Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!' (Julian the Apostate))
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To: null and void

What a strange way to respond.


14 posted on 05/24/2005 8:12:08 PM PDT by eleni121 ('Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!' (Julian the Apostate))
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To: eleni121

I work in this industry and am vocal in my opposition to the use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes. I can assure you that the time-lag between (a) research and (b) product development is long enough that the treatment now in clinical trial is not the result of research on embryonic stem cells, Genentech's (admittedly questionable) moral compass notwithstanding.


15 posted on 05/24/2005 8:46:37 PM PDT by aposiopetic
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To: eleni121
Your choice. Lose your vision, or use something that *might* have been developed using something you don't approve of.

I'm reminded of the cognitive dissonance that a PETA member must have when they fall ill. Die, or use a drug tested on animals!

16 posted on 05/24/2005 9:05:37 PM PDT by null and void (The befaster I run, the behinder I get...)
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To: null and void

NO need to abuse the most helpless of humans in order to fix anything.

Morbid and highly disturbing.


17 posted on 05/24/2005 9:35:06 PM PDT by eleni121 ('Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!' (Julian the Apostate))
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To: null and void
Exactly!! Don't you feel that a card-carrying member of PETA should be prohibited from receivng any type of medical intervention promoted by animal research?
18 posted on 05/24/2005 9:49:05 PM PDT by Fam4Bush (NO ONE BUYS......NEWSWEEK DIES)
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To: null and void

OTOH - A baby is a baby; no comparison to animal research.

Adult stem cells are the ones showing the most promise in many areas right now, but the researchers are having a difficult time getting funding. Reason: Political necessity to promote embryonic stem cell research per adherence to the death culture agenda.


19 posted on 05/24/2005 9:53:54 PM PDT by Fam4Bush (NO ONE BUYS......NEWSWEEK DIES)
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To: eleni121
So, if the only cure for your particular disease was somehow derived, no matter how peripherally, from embryonic stem cells, you would rather die than use it?

Dying's easy. Would you live for decades in intractable pain?

Would you languish unable to do more than blink your eyes?
20 posted on 05/24/2005 10:02:01 PM PDT by null and void (The befaster I run, the behinder I get...)
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