AMD diagnostic based on genetic variations licensed

Ophtherion has licensed the worldwide rights to develop diagnostic products for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) associated with specific variations in genes on Chromosome 10, from the University of Pittsburgh, USA.

In 2005, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh published their findings relating to a link between Chromosome 10, specifically the LOC387715 and HTRA1 genes, and AMD in the American Journal of Human genetics.

It is hoped that genetics tests could be developed from the research that will identify people at risk of developing AMD, allowing medical professionals to intervene more aggressively at the very early stages of the disease.