China's First-in-Class iPSC-Derived Cell Therapy MM001 for Dry AMD Shows Promising Results in Initial IIT Clinical Study

Apr 24, 2026 14:21 CST Updated 14:21

Theia Therapeutics

Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer

Note: This article does not constitute any investment advice or recommendations; please refer to official/company announcements for accuracy. This article only provides an introduction to medical and health-related drugs, not a recommendation of treatment plans (if involved), and does not represent the platform's position.Any article reprinted needs to be authorized.

Recently, Theia Therapeutics announced a breakthrough in the early exploratory clinical study of its self-developed innovative cell therapy MM001, "Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Cells," for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), conducted at Beijing Tongren Hospital. Currently, the project has successfully completed cell transplantation treatment in two subjects, demonstrating positive clinical efficacy and safety.

This IIT clinical study was completed by the team of Chief Physician Jin Zibing from Beijing Tongren Hospital, aiming to evaluate the transplantation safety and clinical effectiveness of MM001 in patients with dry AMD.

The latest follow-up data shows:

One month after the first subject completed the cell transplantation, no serious adverse events (SAE) possibly related to the treatment drug occurred. Both vision and visual quality significantly improved: the patient's corrected vision increased from 0.15 on the preoperative decimal visual acuity chart to 0.4, with a 13-letter improvement on the ETDRS visual acuity chart compared to pre-surgery. The Amsler grid test confirmed that the patient’s metamorphopsia symptoms were greatly alleviated, verifying the safety and clinical efficacy of this innovative therapy.

Meanwhile, the second subject has successfully completed cell transplantation, and the overall clinical research process is proceeding steadily and efficiently.

Dr. Riguofang, co-founder and CEO of Theia Therapeutics, stated: "The results of this IIT study mark an interim breakthrough in the first-in-human study of MM001 in patients with dry AMD. This not only strongly validates our technical approach but also lays a solid foundation for subsequent clinical development. We will accelerate product development to bring breakthrough innovative treatment solutions to a wide range of patients as soon as possible."

About Dry AMD and MM001

Dry AMD is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in middle-aged and elderly individuals, affecting approximately 150 million people worldwide. To date, there are no approved therapies globally that can effectively restore damaged vision. Theia Therapeutics' MM001 "iPSC-RPE Cell Transplantation Therapy" aims to precisely deliver healthy, fully functional retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to the affected area, replacing the patient's degenerated RPE cells, thereby rescuing photoreceptor cell function and achieving visual function restoration.

About Theia Therapeutics

Theia Therapeutics is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the application of innovative stem cell and gene therapies to treat blinding ophthalmic diseases. With stem cell and gene therapy technologies at its core, the company focuses on major indications for ophthalmic diseases. Currently, its pipeline covers age-related macular degeneration (AMD), juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease), pathological high myopia, and other major blinding eye conditions, striving to achieve seamless integration between scientific research and medical needs.

Figure:Theia Therapeutics Pipeline

Source: Public Information

Scan to join the group

Mastering CAR-T Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy, and GeneTherapy,Comprehensive Information on Oncolytic Viruses and Nucleic Acid Drugs