We often take our eyesight for granted until it’s too late. More than 1.7 million people over the age of 65 are afflicted with age-related macular degeneration, taking away the precious gift of sight. The loss of function in retinal cells can lead to impairment or total loss of vision. While scientific advances to treat diseases of the eye are constantly being made, approximately 65,000 people in the United States are affected by the most common types of retinitis pigmentosa.

As its name implies, StemCells Inc. (Nasdaq: STEM) concentrates on the discovery, development and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics to treat diseases affecting the central nervous system and liver. The company today announced that its HuCNS-SC product candidate, when transplanted into a well-established animal model, can protect the retina from progressive degeneration, which can lead to the loss of vision in age-related eye diseases.

The study was conducted by Dr.

Pipex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PP) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing proprietary, late-stage treatments for central nervous system and autoimmune diseases. The company hopes to complete clinical testing, along with manufacturing and regulatory requirements, to seek marketing authorizations through the filing of new drug applications (NDA) with the FDA and marketing application authorizations with the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.

A key element of Pipex’s strategy is to perform efficient and timely development of their clinical-stage drug candidates through the selection of initial indications that represent high profile unmet medical needs. Upon approval, the drug candidates scope may be expanded to additional therapeutic applications through additional post-approval clinical trials and supplemental NDA filings. Pipex is focused on a number of drug candidates at varied stages of development.

* Zinthionein is an oral treatment used for dry age related macular degeneration (AMD). In its phase II clinical trial, the