Retina Implant AG Researcher and Trial Patient to Present at International Retina Congress

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HAMBURG, Germany, July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Retina Implant AG, the leading developer of subretinal implants for patients blinded by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), today announced that results from the Company's second human clinical trial will be presented at the Retina International World Congress. The biennial Congress taking place in Hamburg, Germany from July 13-15 expects 500 attendees comprised of patients, caregivers and industry luminaries, making it the world's largest retinal-focused conference. Professor Eberhart Zrenner, lead clinical trial investigator for Retina Implant AG and Miikka Terho, a patient from the Company's first human clinical trial, will both present at the meeting.

On Saturday, July 14 from 1:30-2:00 p.m. CEST, Professor Zrenner and Terho will co-present a session designed for patients and caregivers titled, "Vision in daily life with the subretinal implant." The session will discuss the visual results Terho experienced when he participated in Retina Implant's first human clinical trial. In addition, Professor Zrenner will provide a Key note speech during the event and will also present the scientific session, "Artificial vision-an overview," at 9:50-10:15 a.m. CEST on Sunday, July 15.

"We are encouraged by the results achieved to-date in our second human clinical trial and are excited by the recent expansion of the trial in Hong Kong and the UK," said Professor Eberhart Zrenner, M.D., director and chairman of the Institute for Ophthalmic Research at the Centre for Ophthalmology of the University of Tuebingen, Germany. "We look forward to sharing our team's discoveries about the use of subretinal implants to restore useful vision with both the scientific and patient communities at this year's Retina International World Congress."

Retina Implant's subretinal implant technology has been in clinical trials since 2005 and consists of a 3x3 mm2 microchip with 1,500 electrodes implanted subretinally, specifically in the macular region. Results from the Company's first human clinical trial published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B in November 2010 showed that placement of the implant below the retina provided optimum visual results, allowing patients to recognize foreign objects and to recognize letters to form words. The Company's second human clinical trial began in Germany in May 2010 and recently expanded into Hong Kong and the UK. Unlike the first trial, patients are implanted with a wireless device designed to remain in the eye permanently. Patients' visual experiences are recorded in both the laboratory and home settings.

"With 29 patients implanted with our subretinal microchip to-date, we have come a long way since our quest began to restore useful vision to patients blinded by retinitis pigementosa," said Walter-G. Wrobel, president and CEO of Retina Implant AG. "We are thankful for all of the brave patients who, like Miikka, have stepped forward to be part of history in the hopes of improving the fate for blind people. Miikka recently returned from the United States where he also shared his experience with patients and caregivers at the Foundation Fighting Blindness' VISIONS 2012 meeting, which was very well received. We look forward to continuing to educate patients and physicians alike about our subretinal implant technology at more forums, including this year's Retina International World Congress."

Congress attendees can learn more about Retina Implant's subretinal implant technology by visiting Retina Implant AG's booth. More information on Professor Zrenner and Terho's presentation can be found on the Retina International World Congress website: http://www.retina-international-2012.de/english/program/program.html.

About Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of the most common forms of inherited retinal degenerations affecting 1 in every 3,000-4,000 people in Europe. A progressive condition that gets worse over time, RP typically causes severe vision problems in adulthood. Retinal implants represent tremendous promise for enabling RP patients to regain sight.

About Retina Implant AG

Retina Implant AG is the leading developer of subretinal implants for partially sighted and blind patients. After extensive research with German university hospitals and institutes which began with a large grant from the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education in 1996, Retina Implant AG was founded by Dr. Eberhart Zrenner and his colleagues in 2003 with private investors with the goal of developing a fully-functioning electronic retinal implant to restore useful vision to the blind. Retina Implant began implanting in human patients in 2005 and started a second clinical trial in 2010. To learn more, visit: http://www.retinaimplant.de/.

SOURCE Retina Implant AG