ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT00447980Updated May 1, 2025Results posted

A Study of Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) Implant for Participants With Early Stage Retinitis Pigmentosa

A Phase 2 interventional study of NT-501 and NT-501 in Retinitis Pigmentosa, sponsored by Neurotech Pharmaceuticals. Completed at 12 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 64 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-01.

Sponsored by Neurotech Pharmaceuticals · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
73
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 64 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to look at the safety and effectiveness of CNTF implants on vision in persons with retinitis pigmentosa, Usher type II \& III, and Choroideremia. This research is being done because there are no effective therapies for people with these retinal degenerations. They are genetic disorders that affect one's ability to see at night, and later cause tunnel vision and loss of central vision. Retinal degenerations affect the retina, a light sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye. Slowly over time, these cells die and cause permanent loss of vision.

The implant is a small capsule that contains human retinal pigment epithelium cells. These cells have been given the ability to make CNTF and release it through the capsule membrane into the surrounding fluid. In this study, two different CNTF dose levels will be used: a high dose and a low dose in one eye, as well as a sham (or placebo) surgery in the other eye.

Read the detailed description

This study will involve about 18 visits over 2½ years for specific tests of the participant's vision and health. These visits may include visual exams, blood draw for laboratory testing, brief medical history and exam, and occasionally a questionnaire (survey), in addition to the visit for the surgical procedures. The primary effectiveness outcome for this study will be a visual field score one year after the implant surgery. There will be about 12 centers participating in this study, and up to 60 people enrolled, across the US. Each participant joining the study who has completed initial screening will then be scheduled to have a brief surgical procedure performed on each eye, one of which will include a very small cell-filled implant. Follow-up visits for repeat assessments will be required regularly to determine if the implant being tested is safe and effective for use to treat retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

02

Conditions studied

  • Retinitis Pigmentosa

Keywords

  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • eye disease
  • retinal disorder
  • CNTF
03

In context

Retinitis Pigmentosa

278 studies on the registry are indexed under Retinitis Pigmentosa; 72 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 73 is above the median of 27 across 179 interventional studies indexed under Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Browse Retinitis Pigmentosa studies →

Lead sponsor

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals is the lead sponsor of 13 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.

Of its 8 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 7 (88%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 64 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Eligibility criteria

Study inclusion / exclusion criteria:

Criteria for patients to qualify for the study include, but are not limited to:

  • Over 18 years of age, and less than 65 years of age
  • Diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, Usher Syndrome Type 2 or 3 or Choroideremia
  • Visual acuity no worse than 20/63
  • Experience with at least two full threshold Humphrey Visual Field 30-2 tests, one completed within the year prior to enrolling in this study

The following criteria will exclude patients from the study:

  • Pregnant or lactating females, or females planning to become pregnant during the study or not using an acceptable method of .
  • Retinitis pigmentosa caused by a classic syndrome, including Usher Type I
  • Other eye diseases including advanced cataract.
  • Chronic systemic disease requiring continuous treatment with systemic , medications or insulin.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(3)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Contraception

Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.

Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

Immunosuppression

A weakened immune system. It can come from an illness, such as HIV or some blood cancers, or from medicines that turn the immune system down, for example after an organ transplant or for an autoimmune disease; steroids at higher doses count.

Read whether the line is about a condition or about medicines, and which medicines and doses it means.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
73 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Low Dose

    NT-501 Low Dose Implant: encapsulated cell therapy that delivers ciliary neurotrophic factor to the retina Sham Implant in Fellow Eye

    Drug: NT-501

  • Experimental
    High Dose

    NT-501 High Dose Implant: encapsulated cell therapy that delivers ciliary neurotrophic factor to the retina Sham Implant in Fellow Eye

    Drug: NT-501

Interventions

  • DrugNT-501

    Low Dose

    Also known as: CNTF implant

  • DrugNT-501

    High Dose

    Also known as: CNTF implant

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Humphrey Visual Fields - Total Sensitivity

    The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in Humphrey VFS from baseline to month 12 (Visit 10) as determined by the HVF 30-2 test, comprised of 76 points. The measure was the sum of actual thresholds for all 76 locations.

    Time frame: 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Mean Humphrey Visual Fields Sensitivity

    Time frame: Baseline compared to 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months

  2. Mean Humphrey Visual Fields Sensitivity

    Change in Humphrey Visual Field Sensitivity over time

    Time frame: Baseline compared to 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months

07

Results

Posted May 1, 2025

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneParticipants That Received Low Dose NT-501 Implant Surgery and Sham Surgery in Fellow EyeSham Treatment in Fellow Eye for Low Dose ArmParticipants That Received High Dose NT-501 Implant Surgery and Sham Surgery in Fellow EyeSham Treatment in Fellow Eye for High Dose Implant Arm
Started23235050
Nt-501 surgery completed20204848
Completed18184444
Not completed5566
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject1144
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up1100
Withdrew: Did not proceed with surgery3322

Outcome measures

PrimaryChange in Humphrey Visual Fields - Total Sensitivity

The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in Humphrey VFS from baseline to month 12 (Visit 10) as determined by the HVF 30-2 test, comprised of 76 points. The measure was the sum of actual thresholds for all 76 locations.

Time frame:
12 months
Reported as:
Mean · dB
Change in Humphrey Visual Fields - Total Sensitivity
dBLow Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - Sham
Change in Humphrey Visual Fields - Total Sensitivity1.4 ± 174.5816.8 ± 165.41-164.8 ± 115.02-66.7 ± 103.23
SecondaryChange in Mean Humphrey Visual Fields Sensitivity
Time frame:
Baseline compared to 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months
Reported as:
Mean · dB
Change in Mean Humphrey Visual Fields Sensitivity
dBLow Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - Sham
6 Months - Change from BL-1.21 ± 140.0925.80 ± 128.34-135.23 ± 107.86-42.99 ± 82.85
12 Months - Change from BL1.35 ± 174.5816.75 ± 165.41-164.79 ± 115.02-66.65 ± 103.23
18 Months - Change from BL-62.65 ± 208.64-37.33 ± 173.46-202.31 ± 137.13-98.73 ± 127.09
24 Months - Change from BL-104.15 ± 194.50-72.15 ± 162.72-227.89 ± 149.73-136.96 ± 126.73
30 Months (retained implant) - Change from BL-46.977 ± 345.78-58.64 ± 275.09-321.72 ± 196.81-211.82 ± 145.25
30 Months (6 Months Post-Explant) - Change from BL-82.67 ± 185.60-58.50 ± 148.57-188.64 ± 122.33-144.60 ± 134.31
SecondaryMean Humphrey Visual Fields Sensitivity

Change in Humphrey Visual Field Sensitivity over time

Time frame:
Baseline compared to 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months
Reported as:
Mean · dB
Mean Humphrey Visual Fields Sensitivity
dBLow Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - Sham
Baseline1142.43 ± 446.331135.94 ± 423.50969.83 ± 391.74961.70 ± 435.68
6 Months1141.21 ± 438.071161.74 ± 399.67834.60 ± 354.98918.72 ± 422.60
12 Months1143.78 ± 409.761152.69 ± 388.30805.03 ± 357.86895.05 ± 427.12
18 Months1079.78 ± 440.811098.61 ± 427.23757.80 ± 363.86850.92 ± 404.91
24 Months1038.28 ± 430.121063.79 ± 398.68745.62 ± 344.58825.06 ± 396.47
30 Months with retained implant1176.22 ± 384.291173.32 ± 340.09695.97 ± 251.57787.30 ± 322.72
30 Months (6 Months Post-Explant)1090.92 ± 382.101056.08 ± 406.65752.78 ± 345.78782.60 ± 382.68

Adverse events

Collected over Time of consent through Month 30 (study exit). Non-serious events are listed at a 4% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Low Dose0/20 (0%)1/20 (5%)20/20 (100%)
High Dose0/48 (0%)4/48 (8.3%)48/48 (100%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventLow DoseHigh Dose
Cubital tunnel syndromeNervous system disorders1/200/48
Acute appendicitisGastrointestinal disorders0/201/48
Ovarian CystReproductive system and breast disorders0/201/48
Hypertrophic medial synovial plica with synovitisMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders0/201/48
Non-ischemic cardiomyopathyCardiac disorders0/201/48
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 47
Most frequent other events
EventLow DoseHigh Dose
Conjunctival HaemorrhageEye disorders17/2038/48
Conjunctival HyperaemiaEye disorders12/2017/48
Anterior Chamber CellEye disorders7/209/48
MiosisEye disorders0/2015/48
Eye PainEye disorders6/2012/48
Suture Related ComplicationInjury, poisoning and procedural complications5/2014/48
Anterior Chamber FlareEye disorders5/209/48
Eye IrritationEye disorders5/204/48
Vitreous DisorderEye disorders5/207/48
HeadacheNervous system disorders5/203/48

Baseline characteristics

The baseline analysis population includes all 73 participants who were randomized to a treatment arm including the 3 participants from low dose arm and the 2 participants from the high dose arm who discontinued prior to surgery, and study start.

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(Years)Low Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - ShamTotal
Mean34.9 ± 12.034.9 ± 12.040.2 ± 11.840.2 ± 11.837.6 ± 11.9
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Low Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - ShamTotal
Female1111262674
Male1212242472
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Low Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - ShamTotal
Hispanic or Latino114410
Not Hispanic or Latino22224646136
Unknown or Not Reported00000
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Low Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - ShamTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native11002
Asian11114
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander00000
Black or African American00000
White21214949140
More than one race00000
Unknown or Not Reported00000
Ocular History - Years Since RP Diagnosis
Ocular History - Years Since RP Diagnosis(years)Low Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - ShamTotal
Mean8.85 ± 8.398.85 ± 8.3910.49 ± 9.8610.49 ± 9.8610.00 ± 9.41
Type of Ocular History
Type of Ocular History(Eyes)Low Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - ShamTotal
Ocular disease23235050146
Ocular surgery33101127
Ocular treatment00246
Humphrey Visual Fields - Total Sensitivity (MITT Population)
Humphrey Visual Fields - Total Sensitivity (MITT Population)(dB)Low Dose - ImplantLow Dose - ShamHigh Dose - ImplantHigh Dose - ShamTotal
Mean1142.4 ± 446.331135.9 ± 423.50969.8 ± 391.74961.7 ± 435.681052.5 ± 424.31
08

Study locations

12 sites
  • Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group
    Beverly Hills, California 90211, United States
  • University of Califoria, Davis
    Sacramento, California 95817, United States
  • University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, California 94143-0730, United States
  • Bascom Palmer Eye Insitute
    Miami, Florida 33101, United States
  • Kellogg Eye Center
    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States
  • University of Minnesota
    Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0501, United States
  • NY University Medical Center
    New York, New York 10016, United States
  • Casey Eye Institue
    Portland, Oregon 97239-4197, United States
  • The Hamilton Eye Institute
    Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
  • Retina Foundation of Southwest
    Dallas, Texas 75231, United States
  • University of Utah
    Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
  • The University of Utah - John A. Moran Eye Center
    Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Birch DG, Weleber RG, Duncan JL, Jaffe GJ, Tao W; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Retinitis Pigmentosa Study Groups. Randomized trial of ciliary neurotrophic factor delivered by encapsulated cell intraocular implants for retinitis pigmentosa. Am J Ophthalmol. 2013 Aug;156(2):283-292.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2013.03.021. Epub 2013 May 10. PubMed 23668681 ↗
  • Kauper K, McGovern C, Sherman S, Heatherton P, Rapoza R, Stabila P, Dean B, Lee A, Borges S, Bouchard B, Tao W. Two-year intraocular delivery of ciliary neurotrophic factor by encapsulated cell technology implants in patients with chronic retinal degenerative diseases. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Nov 1;53(12):7484-91. doi: 10.1167/iovs.12-9970. PubMed 23049090 ↗
  • Talcott KE, Ratnam K, Sundquist SM, Lucero AS, Lujan BJ, Tao W, Porco TC, Roorda A, Duncan JL. Longitudinal study of cone photoreceptors during retinal degeneration and in response to ciliary neurotrophic factor treatment. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011 Apr 6;52(5):2219-26. doi: 10.1167/iovs.10-6479. PubMed 21087953 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jan 2007 to primary completion in Apr 2010, 38 months.

Results were first posted in May 2025, 15 years after primary completion. A results delay was requested in Nov 2016.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Mar 9, 2007
First posted
Mar 15, 2007
StartActual
Jan 22, 2007
Primary completionActual
Apr 19, 2010
CompletionActual
Apr 19, 2010
Results delay requested
Nov 15, 2016
Results first posted
May 1, 2025
Last update
May 1, 2025
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 1, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00447980
Lead sponsor
Neurotech Pharmaceuticals
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Mar 15, 2007
Start date
Jan 22, 2007
Primary completion
Apr 19, 2010
Completion
Apr 19, 2010
Results posted
May 1, 2025
Last update
May 1, 2025

Study contacts

David Birch, MD, PhD
principal investigator · Retina Foundation of the Southwest

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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