PulseSight Therapeutics has completed dosing in its Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating PST-611 in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy (GA), marking an early milestone in the programme’s clinical development. Data from the study are expected to be presented at the 2026 ARVO Annual Meeting.

The Phase 1 trial is assessing the safety and tolerability of PST-611, with six patients treated across two dose cohorts. Dry AMD is a leading cause of central vision loss in older adults and affects an estimated 200 million people globally, while GA represents an advanced form of the disease with limited treatment options.

PST-611 is a vectorised gene therapy designed to express transferrin, a natural iron transporter involved in iron homeostasis. Dysregulated iron metabolism is implicated in dry AMD, where excess free iron can contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation and retinal cell death through ferroptosis. Preclinical studies have shown PST-611 protected photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium cells and preserved visual function in animal models.

The study is being conducted in Paris and Grenoble. Francine Behar-Cohen, ophthalmology professor at Cochin – Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, said: “Having pioneered the development of the electro-transfection technology that delivers DNA plasmids encoding therapeutic proteins into the ciliary muscle of the eye, I am very enthusiastic about PST-611 and very pleased to support the clinical development of this promising candidate. Late-stage dry AMD/ GA is a progressing disease that leads to vision loss and for which we have no therapeutic options for our patients. Based on its mechanism of action and thanks to the innovative delivery technology, PST-611 has potential to become a major treatment option for these patients.”

George Weissgerber, chief medical officer at PulseSight Therapeutics, added: “We are very pleased to have completed the enrolment of the patients in the phase 1 trial and thankful to our investigators and their team for their involvement and support in the recruitment and treatment of the patients. This trial marks the first step of PST-611 clinical development and provides the foundation to build upon for the phase 2a trial we are already preparing to further demonstrate PST-611’s potential.”

The programme reflects continued interest in gene-based approaches for ophthalmology, where sustained intraocular delivery of therapeutic proteins could reduce the need for repeated injections. However, clinical validation remains early, and further data from subsequent trial phases will be required to assess efficacy and long-term safety.