Nova Eye Medical Limited announced that, based on feedback from the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA), it has defined the clinical study plan and US regulatory approval pathway for the 2RT retinal rejuvenation laser for intermediate age related macular degeneration (iAMD). The clinical study plan and the commercial rights will be pursued by the Company's wholly owned subsidiary AlphaRET Pty Ltd. 2RT is a proprietary, world first nanosecond laser therapy to treat iAMD. 2RT works by stimulating the rejuvenation of cells in the retina to initiate a healing response that targets the underlying causes of AMD.

At present, treatment options for iAMD patients are limited, with nutrient supplements a possible option. For patients with AMD in its late "dry" form there is no treatment and for patients with AMD in its late "wet" form (approximately 10% of AMD patients1) invasive ocular injections of anti-VEGF pharmaceuticals are administered over many years, typically every 4- 8 weeks. These pharmaceuticals do not cure the disease and are traumatic for many patients.

It has been noted that these anti-VEGF pharmaceuticals diminish in their impact after 3-5 years, with patients experiencing a decline in visual outcomes . According to recent reports, health care systems in the most developed economies, including Australia, spend more money on anti-VEGF pharmaceuticals than any other eye therapy as well as treatments for most other diseases. 2RT has the potential to transform the global treatment of AMD by treating patients earlier in the disease state.

This represents a revolutionary change from the status quo and thereby provides enormous clinical and commercial potential. 2RT® has been the subject of a 20-year development program by the Company. The 2RT® technology is based on original investigations performed by world-renowned laser expert Prof. John Marshall PhD, FRCPath, FMedDSci (Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, UK).

Prof. Marshall is actively involved in the 2RT® project and is a Board member of AlphaRET.