UK scientists set their sights on cu...( utologous RPE (i.e. cells from the pati...),Health

By driving these in parallel it is felt that the development time will be significantly reduced. Given that AMD could affect up to one third of the population by 2070, and that the bulk of these will have dry AMD, the potential to create a treatment strategy for this condition is critical and may have a major impact on vision loss in the community.

Professor Ed Byrne, Dean of the UCL Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, said: The launch of The London Project to Cure AMD reinforces UCLs position at the forefront of stem cell research in the UK and beyond. We hope that like-minded individuals and organisations will continue to donate funds to world-class research projects such as this, which have the capability of developing life-changing treatments for diseases such as AMD.

Professor Alistair Fielder, Senior Medical Adviser of Fight for Sight, the leading eye research charity, said: "We are excited about the work of Professor Pete Coffey and his team regarding developments in the treatment of AMD. The London Project represents a real chance to tackle this untreatable condition and bring hope to many. It is marvellous to think that clinical trials could start within five years."

Tom Bremridge, Chief Executive of The Macular Disease Society, said: This development is exciting and encouraging for current and future generations of AMD patients. While treatments for wet AMD are advancing rapidly, sadly patients with dry AMD have had no prospect of any viable therapy. Our thanks and congratulations to the instigators of the London Project to Cure AMD.