Mengmou Bio Announces Positive Results from First-in-China Exploratory Clinical Study of MM001, an iPSC-Derived RPE Cell Therapy for Dry AMD

Apr 23, 2026 17:31 CST Updated 17:31

Theia Therapeutics

Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer

Recently, a company within Zhongguan Village Life Science ParkTheia TherapeuticsAnnounce,Theia Therapeutics' self-developed innovative cell therapy MM001, "Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Cells" for dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), has achieved breakthrough progress in the early exploratory clinical study conducted at Beijing Tongren Hospital.Currently, the project has successfully completed cell transplantation treatment for two subjects, demonstrating positive clinical efficacy and safety.

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This IIT clinical study, conducted by the team of Chief Physician Jin Zibing from Beijing Tongren Hospital, aims to evaluate the transplantation safety and clinical efficacy of MM001 in patients with dry AMD. The latest follow-up data shows that: no serious adverse events (SAE) potentially related to the treatment drug occurred in the first subject one month after completing the cell transplantation, and both visual acuity and visual quality were significantly improved.The patient's corrected vision improved from 0.15 on the preoperative decimal visual acuity chart to 0.4., ETDRS visual acuity test improved by 13 letters compared to pre-operation; Amsler grid test confirmed that the patient's metamorphopsia symptoms were significantly 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. Fang Riguo, co-founder and CEO of Theia Therapeutics, stated"The results of this IIT study mark a phased breakthrough in the first human study of MM001 in patients with dry AMD. This not only strongly validates our technological approach but also lays a solid foundation for subsequent clinical development. We will accelerate the advancement of product development, striving to bring breakthrough innovative treatment solutions to a broad patient population as soon as possible."

>>About Dry AMD and MM001

Dry AMD is a major blinding eye disease causing irreversible vision loss in middle-aged and elderly individuals, with approximately 150 million patients 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 reconstruction.

>>About Theia Therapeutics

Theia Therapeutics, a high-tech enterprise specializing in the application of innovative stem cell and gene therapies to treat blinding ophthalmic diseases, has integrated "innovative genes" into its development since its establishment in 2023. It deciphers the "underlying logic" of ophthalmic disease treatment, focusing on major indications in ophthalmology with stem cell and gene therapy technologies at its core, driving a leap from "no available treatments" to "precise cures." Currently, the company’s pipeline covers major blinding eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease), and pathological high myopia, striving to achieve seamless integration between scientific research and medical needs. Adhering to the mission of "providing accessible curative solutions for patients with blinding eye diseases worldwide through breakthrough cell and gene therapies," Theia Therapeutics continues to offer groundbreaking treatment options to eye disease patients globally, significantly improving their quality of life.