ASCRS 2023: Companies presenting clinical data and technology at annual meeting

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As the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery kicks off its 2023 annual meeting this weekend in San Diego, clinical data and technology will take center stage.

The 4-day conference, being held May 5-8, will showcase the newest clinical techniques, unveil the latest industry trends and innovations, and offer numerous opportunities for networking, with a number of companies in the spotlight during the event.

The meeting will focus on therapeutic, surgical, and administrative topics of interest to ASCRS and ASOA members, and includes lectures, symposia, workshops, sessions, courses, and skills transfer labs to help surgeons, nurses, and technicians hone their clinical and administrative talents.

Among the companies presenting at the event, ViaLase Inc. will present first-in-human clinical data and a technology overview during ASCRS.

The company will present its first-in-human clinical data and a technology overview during 2023 ASCRS annual meeting, with presentations at Eyecelerator today and ASCRS offering insights into ViaLase's new technology and 2-year outcomes of the first-in-human initial study of femtosecond laser image-guided high-precision trabeculotomy (FLigHT) treatment in patients with glaucoma.

Tibor Juhasz, PhD, founder and CEO, ViaLase, said the company is excited to present its 2-year clinical data to the ophthalmic community and “continue to share the potential value of the micron accuracy, non-invasive treatment of glaucoma performed with advanced image-guided, femtosecond laser technology.”

“The results mark an important first step in demonstrating FLigHT's potential as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with primary open angle glaucoma,” Juhasz said. “We are optimistic about the new opportunities ViaLase's FLigHT treatment can offer to practices and patients alike."

The corporate and clinical presentations are scheduled as follows:

Marketplace Company Showcase - ViaLase Presentation

• Presented by Thomas W. Samuelson, MD
• Today
• 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. PDT
• Location: Eyecelerator, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

According to the company, presenters for ViaLase include Cathleen M. McCabe, MD; Professor Zoltan Nagy, MD; and Richard A. Lewis, MD.

Up and coming glaucoma technologies: Almost ready for prime time

• Presented by Cathleen M. McCabe, MD
• Friday, May 5
• 4:29 to 4:38 pm PDT
• San Diego Convention Center, Upper Level, Room 6B

First-in-human study of femtosecond laser image-guided high-precision trabeculotomy (FLigHT) for glaucoma treatment: 2-Year outcomes

• Presented by Professor Zoltan Nagy, MD
• Saturday, May 6
• 2:47 to 2:52 pm PDT
• San Diego Convention Center, Upper Level, Room 5B

ASCRS innovator’s session – Angle imaging: The unmet need in MIGS

• Presented by Richard A. Lewis, MD
• Monday, May 8
• 8:00 to 9:30 am PDT
• San Diego Convention Center

Aurion Biotech also will present clinical trial results during the ASCRS meeting in San Diego.

According to the company, data will be presented at Eyecelerator and ASCRS 2023 from its Escalón study, which treated subjects with its novel cell therapy, AURN001.

In this study, 22 subjects diagnosed with corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial disease were treated intracamerally with a consistent dose of endothelial cells and three different doses of Y-27632, a rho kinase inhibitor.

“We are thrilled to share Escalón findings in multiple sessions at the ASCRS 2023 and Eyecelerator meetings,” said Michael Goldstein, president and chief medical officer, Aurion Biotech. “Escalón data are consistent with our previous trials showing clinically meaningful improvements in central corneal thickness and best corrected visual acuity. We believe these presentations will be of significant interest to the ophthalmology community and will help to highlight the exciting potential of AURN001 to treat patients with corneal endothelial disease.”

The schedule of corporate presentations is as follows:

Transformational Cell Therapy for Corneal Endothelial Disease

• Michael Goldstein, president and chief medical officer, Aurion Biotech
• Today
• 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PDT
• Eyecelerator, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

If Not First, You're Last: First-in-Human Studies

• Greg Kunst, CEO, Aurion Biotech
• Today
• 3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. PDT
• Eyecelerator, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Aurion Biotech and its cell therapy will also be mentioned in the following ASCRS scientific presentations:

Overview of Injectable Endothelial Cell Therapy

• Friday, May 5, 2023
• 8:54 a.m. – 9:01 a.m. PDT
• San Diego Convention Center - Upper Level, Room 6B
• Presenter: Deepinder Dhaliwal, MD

Update on Endothelial Cell Therapy Clinical Trials

• Friday, May 5, 2023
• 9:01 a.m. - 9:08 a.m. PDT
• San Diego Convention Center - Upper Level, Room 6B
• Presenter: John P. Berdahl, MD

Interim Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Therapy for Corneal Edema Secondary to Endothelial Dysfunction

• Sunday, May 7, 2023
• 10:15 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. PDT
• San Diego Convention Center - Upper Level, Room 4
• Presenter: Matthew Giegengack, MD, ABO

Aurion Biotech’s combination therapy recently received regulatory approval from Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), for the treatment of bullous keratopathy, marking the first-ever regulatory approval in the world for an allogeneic cell therapy to treat corneal endothelial disease.

Here are some of the special features to expect at the 2023 ASCRS annual meeting”

Party for a Purpose: The second of its kind, this event will kick off the meeting on May 5 at 8 pm with fun and philanthropy for the benefit of the ASCRS Foundation. All registrants, exhibitors, and their guests are invited to attend.

Bonus Subspecialty Day: In addition to Refractive Day, Cornea Day, and Glaucoma Day—each approved for up to 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits—a bonus non-CME program, Digital Day, will be held on May 5 for Subspecialty Day registrants. Sponsored by the Digital Ophthalmic Society, the day will feature lectures on artificial intelligence, digital visualization, and precision medicine tools that can be integrated into the clinic.

YES Programming & Engagement: True to its commitment to young eye surgeons (YES), ASCRS will offer special skills transfer labs on May 5 and symposia, a networking lunch, and more on May 6. YES events will continue throughout the meeting with Mentor Meetups, YES Connect Industry Dinners, and an industry-sponsored YES Happy Hour. 

Exhibit Hall: More than 200 companies will have booths at the Exhibit Hall. And attendees can once again enjoy the popular Tap Room, a causal meeting spot and space for industry-led education.

A new addition this year will be the Wellness Lounge, where attendees can take a break and recharge. Complimentary lunch will be served in the and Exhibit Hall on May 6-7 and free professional headshots will be taken there May 6–8.

The ASOA Annual Meeting, which is geared toward practice managers and administrators but is relevant to all ophthalmology staff members will also take place between May 5-8 in San Diego, California.