PulseSight Therapeutics announced it will present results from its phase 1 clinical trial of PST-611 at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2026 annual meeting, taking place May 3–7 in Denver, Colorado.

The presentation will mark the first public disclosure of data from the PST-611-CT1 study, a first-in-human trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of the company’s novel non-viral, vectorized gene therapy for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), specifically geographic atrophy (GA).

The results will be presented by Professor Francine Behar-Cohen, MD, PhD, lead investigator and a specialist at the Department of Ophthalmology at Cochin Hospital, part of Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP). The presentation follows the completion of follow-up for the final patient enrolled in the study.

The phase 1 trial enrolled six patients across two successive cohorts, each receiving different dose levels of PST-611 over the past year. The study was conducted at leading ophthalmology centers in Paris and Grenoble, under the direction of Professor Behar-Cohen and Professor Christophe Chiquet, MD, PhD, at CHU Grenoble Alpes.

The trial aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of PST-611, a first-in-class non-viral gene therapy candidate designed to address the underlying biological mechanisms of dry AMD.

PST-611 works by expressing transferrin, a natural iron-binding protein that plays a critical role in maintaining iron homeostasis in the retina. Dysregulation of iron levels is a known contributor to the progression of dry AMD, leading to toxic accumulation of free iron, inflammation, oxidative stress, and retinal cell death through ferroptosis.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated that PST-611 can protect photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, while preserving visual function in animal models.

Presentation Details

  • Presenter: Professor Francine Behar-Cohen
  • Title: Transferrin in geographic atrophy patients using non-viral ocular gene therapy: Results from PST-611-CT1, a First-in-Human trial
  • Abstract Number: #5926
  • Session Title: Diabetic retinopathy and related disorders (#546)
  • Date & Time: May 7, 2026, 14:00–15:45
  • Presentation Time: 15:30–15:45
  • Location: Room Mile High 1C, Denver, Colorado

“Presentation of the results of our first-in-human clinical trial of PST-611 at a major ophthalmology conference is a significant milestone for the company," said George Weissgerber, MD, Chief Medical Officer of PulseSight Therapeutics. "The progress made over the past year is very encouraging for the project and for patients. We will be building upon this trial in the planned phase 2a study to further demonstrate PST-611’s potential for the treatment of AMD/GA patients.”

With phase 1 now complete, PulseSight is preparing to advance PST-611 into further clinical development, aiming to offer a novel, minimally invasive therapeutic option for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.